The U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) has launched LEED Zero, a new program that will address net zero operations and resources in buildings.
"Net zero is a powerful target that will move the entire industry forward," says Melissa Baker, senior vice president of technical core at USGBC. "For years, LEED projects around the world have aspired to net zero milestones. We are recognizing the leadership of these projects—and formalizing our commitment to focusing on carbon and net zero across the entire LEED community. These new certification programs will encourage a holistic approach for buildings and places to contribute to a regenerative future and enhance the health and well-being for not only building occupants, but all of humanity."
LEED Zero is open to all LEED projects certified under the BD+C, ID+C or O+M rating systems, or projects registered to pursue LEED O+M certification. LEED projects can achieve LEED Zero certification when they demonstrate any of the following: net zero carbon emissions, net zero energy use, net zero water use or net zero waste.
LEED certification recognizes that a project has implemented various sustainability strategies, reflecting reduced contributions to climate change, as well as beneficial effects on water resources, biodiversity, human health and well-being, regenerative material resource cycles, social equity and quality of life.
LEED Zero builds on LEED by recognizing specific achievements in building operations and rewards projects that have used LEED as a framework to address important aspects of green buildings and taken it a step further by designing and operating toward net zero goals. LEED Zero is part of a vision to ensure the next phase of USGBC's efforts will be LEED Positive, meaning buildings are generating more energy than they use and removing more carbon than they produce.
