LEED Zero Carbon Certification

We are diving into what was once a US-based framework but has now become both recognised and utilised internationally - the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) rating system. The LEED Zero certifications, the newest additions to the LEED framework, are aimed at validating an existing building's achievement in reaching net zero goals. This week's newsletter hones in on one in particular - LEED Zero Carbon.?

LEED Zero is a new complementary level of achievement in green building, which includes four additional areas of certification:?

• LEED Zero Carbon recognizes net zero carbon emissions from energy consumption through carbon emissions avoided or offset over a period of 12 months.
• LEED Zero Energy?recognizes a source energy use balance of zero over a period of 12 months.
• LEED Zero Water?recognizes a potable water use balance of zero over a period of 12 months.
• LEED Zero Waste?recognizes buildings that achieve GBCI’s?TRUE certification?at the Platinum level.

In a climate where global warming and environmental changes are becoming increasingly urgent,?LEED Zero Carbon?stands as an innovative addition to the?LEED green building standards.

LEED Zero Carbon

The LEED Zero Carbon certification currently provides a transparent accounting of the?balance?of carbon?caused by energy consumption and occupant transportation to carbon emissions avoided or offset.?To obtain LEED Zero Carbon certification,?a project must achieve a carbon-dioxide equivalent (CO2e) balance of zero for the past year:

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Carbon Balance = Total Carbon Emitted - Total Carbon Avoided

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In essence, a building under this zero carbon certification produces no net greenhouse gas emissions, either by harnessing renewable energy sources or offsetting its carbon emissions.

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Want to know more??Read the full blog post.

LEED Sustainability - Is it truly the gold standard?

The introduction of an individual certification dedicated to carbon is definitely a progressive move by the USGBC, but a look at the carbon requirements to obtain LEED Zero Carbon certification?makes it apparent that there is still a way to go if LEED is to cover the scope of emissions necessary to affect real change.

LEED Zero Carbon's focus on the balance of carbon is of course inherently restrictive and misses key components that will drastically skew the balance, such as the embodied carbon of materials and carbon caused by water consumption and waste generation.

The USGBC has stated that they will expand to incorporate these sources of carbon emissions in the future, but with LEED moving beyond the United States and being adopted by thousands of projects around the world,?we hope that these changes are implemented sooner rather than later.

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The onus is ever more on industry leaders to pave the way, leading by example, and ensuring that the built environments of tomorrow are both sustainable and beneficial for all.?