Light Pollution – Above Green

The ‘Light Pollution’ credit rewards operational practices that minimize direct and indirect light pollution during the night-time.

According to the International Dark Sky Association (IDA), light pollution is defined as any adverse effect resulting from the use of artificial lighting, such as sky glow, glare, light trespass and light clutter. Light pollution not only wastes energy, it also disrupts global wildlife and ecological balance and has been linked to negative human health outcomes.

Under the credit, points are awarded for operational practices that limit the impact of external light pollution during the performance period. The Australian Standard AS4282 – 1997 Control of Obtrusive Effects of Outdoor Lighting provides guidelines to address the effects of light pollution.

In addition to external light pollution, points may be achieved where operational and management practices that eliminate light pollution from internal sources are in operation throughout the performance period. As such, all internal lighting that can cause light pollution impacts must be automatically turned off when the building is unoccupied (certain exclusions apply and are outlined within the rating tool).