The US Green Building Council announced today that all future LEED certified projects will be required to achieve at least two 'Optimize Energy Performance' points on the rating system's scorecard. This will improve average the energy performance of all LEED certified green buildings by 14% for new construction and 7% for existing buildings. “Improving energy performance will immediately increase the LEED Green Building Rating System's impact in reducing building energy related greenhouse gas emissions,” said Tom Hicks of the USGBC.
The move is part of an eight-point agenda passed last November by the USGBC’s Board of Directors to address climate change and buildings. It's really more like a 9-point agenda, because #8 is really two. (Not that I'm being nitpicky, of course.) Anyway, here's the list. Where's Kasey Casem when you need him?
(1) 50% CO2 reduction: all new commercial LEED projects are required to reduce CO2 emissions by 50% when compared to current emission levels.
(2) Increased energy reduction prerequisites: all LEED projects must achieve at least two energy and optimization credits (today's announcement).
(3) Implementation of a carbon dioxide offset program.
(4) Continuous process improvement incentives: all LEED for New construction and Core and Shell buildings that reach certification will automatically (at no cost) be registered for LEED for Existing Buildings.
(5) Pushing the envelop on performance - certification fees rebates for 'Platinum' rated buildings
(6) By the end of 2007, the USGBC as an organization will be 100% carbon neutral.
(7) Portfolio performance program: the long-term goal of this program is to recognize companies for high environmental performance across their portfolios.
(8) Carbon reduction education and industry challenge: the USGBC will launch a new educational program to help industry professionals gain the knowledge they need to apply design and construction practices that are energy efficient and have immediate and measurable impact on CO2 emissions. By 2010, there will be 100,000 LEED certified commercial buildings and one million certified homes. By 2020, there will be one million LEED certified commercial buildings and ten million certified homes.
Comments