LEED v4 Approved, Incorporates Cradle to Cradle Certified Program

 WASHINGTON — In early July, the U. S. Green Building Council (USGBC) membership voted with 86 percent favor to adopt LEED v4, the latest version of the green building rating system. The voter percentage includes 90 percent approval from the user category of the voting body, 77 percent approval from the general interest category and 89 percent approval from the producer category. In order to pass, the overall percentage needed to be 66.7 percent.

“This update of LEED builds on the past while offering new requirements, preparing all LEED projects to achieve higher levels of building performance and positive environmental outcomes,” said Scot Horst, senior vice president of LEED, USGBC, in a statement. “This newest version of LEED challenges the market to make the next leap toward better, cleaner, healthier buildings. I am confident that people will also notice the improved usability of the system with an improved documentation process and more resources and tools to assist and support positive action.”

A significant part of the LEED v4 rating system is the inclusion of the Cradle to Cradle Certified Program, which certifies healthy building materials. Under the new LEED system, buildings that use a minimum of 20 products that are Cradle to Cradle certified at the basic level or bronze level can earn one point. An additional point is awarded to projects that use products that are Cradle to Cradle certified at or above the silver or gold level and equal a value of at least 25 percent by cost of permanently installed products. Before the new rating system, buildings were awarded Innovation in Design Credits for the use of Cradle to Cradle certified products that total at least 2.5 percent of the cost value of all permanently installed building products.

This summer, the USGBC will begin webinar education on the LEED v4 rating system, and the full program, along with reference guides, will be unveiled at this year’s Greenbuild International Conference & Expo in Philadelphia in November. There are already more than 100 projects pursuing certification through the LEED v4 beta program. With projects currently in the review phase, some will certify as early as this summer. Enrollment for the beta program is still open; see the LEED v4 User Guide for details.