Several changes to the LEED rating system will create requirements for higher thresholds of energy performance and emissions reductions. As the U.S. Green Building Council gears up to begin development of LEED v5 in January, these updates will make the current version of LEED more rigorous. The proposed changes will open for public comment later in November.
The proposed changes are for LEED v4, which brings it closer to the requirements in LEED v4.1. LEED v4.1 is an incremental update to LEED rather than a full version change. Project teams are able to use either version, so the proposed energy and emissions reductions updates to LEED v4 help more closely align the two rating systems and help set the stage for the next full version of LEED.
“From day one, USGBC has been committed to continuous improvement in green building performance. The new updates to LEED v4 reaffirm that reducing climate change-related emissions is core to LEED,” said Peter Templeton, president and CEO, USGBC, in a release. “These updates ensure LEED continues to drive market leadership in addressing energy use and climate change across the built environment.”
Greg Zimmerman is senior contributing editor for FacilitiesNet.com and Building Operating Management magazine.
