“The hallmark of LEED is ‘continuous improvement’ – and that is exactly where we are going with LEED v4.1,” said Mahesh Ramanujam, president and CEO, USGBC. “LEED v4.1 is set to raise the bar. It is the most comprehensive, collaborative, accessible and effective LEED system to date. From improving energy performance to emphasizing human health and integrative building design, LEED is encouraging project teams to operate beyond the status quo.”

The goal of LEED v4.1 is to make the rating system more accessible to more projects based on lessons learned from LEED v4 project teams. 

 

This newest beta version updates performance thresholds and referenced standards to ensure LEED remains the global leadership standard for green buildings and continues to expand the marketplace for LEED. The changes also advocate for improved performance throughout the life of buildings, rewards leaders based on their performance and incorporates performance reporting to enable building owners to track progress towards environmental, social and governance goals. 

 

Currently, there are more than 96,200 commercial projects participating in LEED in 167 countries and territories.

“LEED v4.1 is aimed at addressing the challenges projects face as they pursue their sustainability goals,” said Melissa Baker, SVP, USGBC. “BD+C updates referenced standards to encourage leadership and responds to market feedback. ID+C updates mirror BD+C while also focusing on the realities projects experience as they interact with their base building.”

 

“As the global green building market has evolved, we must evolve with it,” added Ramanujam. “The heart of the green building community’s efforts must go well beyond construction and efficiency, and the materials that make up our buildings. We must dig deeper and focus on what matters most within those buildings: human beings. And this is what LEED v4.1 strives for. The standard we are most committed to raising is that of the quality of life itself—for every member of this community, and in populations spanning every corner of the planet.”