U.S. Green Building Council Launches LEED v4

This past week, The U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) launched LEED v4, the newest version of the LEED green building program.  This enhanced program offers flexibility for all green projects, with new market sectors and global best practices built-in.

Since its release in 1998, LEED has revolutionized the marketplace as the world's premier benchmark for the design, construction and operation of high -performance green buildings. Staying true to its original goals,  LEED v4 builds on the fundamentals of previous versions while offering a new system that prepares all LEED projects in a portfolio to perform at a higher level.

New Features of LEED v4

• New market sectors including data centers, mi-rise residential projects, hospitality, existing schools, warehouses and distribution centers. 
• A more user friendly LEED credit submittal process, with step-by-step reference guide materials with videos and tutorials and a more intuitive technology platform.  
• Focus on outcomes--building owners can understand how to manage their buildings to meet full performance potential. 
• New impact categories such as climate change, human health, water resources, biodiversity, green economy, community and natural resources. 

Several facilities have already achieved LEED v4 qualifications. The Haworth Beijing Organic Showroom in Beijing, China achieved LEED v4 Gold, while a building in Washington, DC achieved LEED v4 Silver. 

LEED Green Building Certification to Include Cradle to Cradle

Despite the controversy surrounding the federal governments preference to LEED building certifications, the latest LEED Version 4 rating system was overwhelmingly approved (85 percent) last week by the U.S. Green Building Council with the inclusion of the Cradle to Cradle Certified Program. 

Developed 25 years ago by American Architect William McDonough and German chemist Michael Braungart, Cradle to Cradle aims to enforce the environmental qualities of materials used in green buildings. 

“We salute the USGBC’s courageous leadership in making material health a priority in the face of immense challenge from industry,” says William McDonough. “The stand they have taken will help continue their meaningful input as an agent of market transformation.”

Cradle to Cradle will officially be adopted into the LEED certification criteria in November 2013.  

What does that mean for your LEED Project? 

With the addition of Cradle to Cradle to the LEED Version 4 rating system, you can get credits for materials & resources if you disclose and optimize where your building materials are sourced and purchased. 

Facilities that utilize at least 20 Cradle to Cradle Certified products or use "at least 25% by cost of the total value of permanently installing building products" can earn points toward certification. 

For more information visit USGBC or view the original press release. 

• Cradle to Cradle® is a registered trademark of MBDC.
• Cradle to Cradle Certified^CM is a certification mark licensed by the Cradle to Cradle Products Innovation Institute
• U.S Green Building Council is a certification mark licensed to the U.S. Green Building Council.