U.S. Green Building Council Launches LEED v4

The U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) has launched LEED v4, the newest version of the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design green-building ratings program. It is the first major revision to the ratings program in five years. Originally LEED 2012, the updated version went through several revisions including five public comment periods before being put up for a vote to USGBC members. The update builds upon the fundamentals established in previous versions and also offers a new system that readies all LEED projects in a portfolio to perform at higher levels.

LEED v4 encourages and accelerates global adoption of sustainable green building and development practices through the creation and implementation of universally understood and accepted tools and performance criteria. Already, 122 beta projects from around the world are using LEED v4.

Highlights of LEED v4 include:

  • New market sectors: New sector adaptations for LEED include data centers, warehouses and distribution centers, hospitality, existing schools, existing retail and mid-rise residential projects.
  • Time-saving support tools and resources: Simplified LEED credit submittal requirements, descriptive step-by-step reference guide materials with videos and tutorials, and a more intuitive technology platform.
  • Building performance management: LEED v4 is focused on outcomes so that building owners have a better understanding of how to manage their buildings to meet full performance potential.
  • New impact categories: Climate change, human health, water resources, biodiversity, green economy, community and natural resources.

“LEED v4, at its core, provides insight into the synergies within the building system, providing solutions for optimizing performance, and ultimately achieving better environmental, economic and social outcomes in our buildings,” said Scot Horst, senior vice president of LEED, USGBC. “LEED v4 is the LEED of the future, where we challenge the marketplace to go further, to make the next great leap toward better, cleaner, healthier buildings where people live and work.”