LEED v4 Launches, 122 Beta Projects Use the Green Building Rating

LEED v4 launched today at the Greenbuild International Conference and Expo in Philadelphia.

The US Green Building Council (USGBC) says the newest version of its green building program ramps up global adoption of sustainable building and development practices by creating universally understood and accepted tools and performance criteria. Already, 122 beta projects from around the world are using LEED v4.

Some of the changes to the rating system include:

• New market sectors such as data centers, warehouses and distribution centers, hospitality, existing schools, existing retail and mid-rise residential projects.
• Simplified LEED credit submittal requirements, step-by-step reference guide materials with videos and tutorials, and a more intuitive technology platform.
• 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 including climate change, human health, water resources, biodiversity, green economy, community and natural resources.

The Haworth Beijing Organic Showroom in Beijing, China, has achieved LEED v4 Gold and the 1800 K St. building in Washington, DC, was awarded LEED v4 Silver.

Also this week UL Environment launched its LEED toolkit, geared to support the architecture and design community in their product specification and selection processes, and USGBC and UL announced a partnership that aims to improve the quality and performance of buildings.