The U.S. Green Building Council recently published a report containing principles outlining how LEED will evolve.
The chief concern is how to scale up decarbonization in the building industry to have the greatest impact on the climate crisis. Recognizing that the challenge is global, USGBC says: “We will increase the impact of LEED by making compliance simple, intuitive, and barrier-free. We will provide streamlined tools and pathways for more buildings, portfolios, cities, and communities to engage. We will leverage ESG reporting frameworks, performance standards and local regulation to drive, recognize, and reward continuous performance tracking.”
Other guiding principles include:
- Inspire and recognize adaptive and resilient built environments.
- Invest in human health and well-being.
- Create environments in which diversity, equity, and inclusivity thrive.
- Support flourishing ecosystems through regenerative development practices.
- Establish that buildings designed and constructed to LEED standards must also be operated to LEED standards.
Other points of emphasis will be to improve indoor air quality, address foundational mental and physical health needs, support resilient and people-oriented site design, promote use of green building products, focus on the impacts of climate change on health, and address the health risks associated with construction and worker safety.
Related Stories
Codes and Standards | May 17, 2021
Latest Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices criticized for not considering bikes, pedestrians
More than a dozen advocacy groups want feds to start over.
Codes and Standards | May 13, 2021
LEED-certified federal buildings don’t use less energy than average
May be due to trade-offs on how score is developed.
Codes and Standards | May 12, 2021
White paper examines how to reduce pathogen transmission in ventilation
Pressure barriers and airflow distribution can be effective in existing buildings.
Codes and Standards | May 11, 2021
Pressure builds on White House to rein in cost of lumber
Spike in prices has added nearly $36,000 to price of average new home.
Codes and Standards | May 11, 2021
Residential codes should be upgraded to protect from cooking pollutants
Report examines ventilation standards, calls for increased public awareness of issue.
Codes and Standards | May 6, 2021
Blue roofs can provide relief to overwhelmed stormwater systems
Benefits most evident in industrial commercial areas.
Codes and Standards | May 5, 2021
Majority of schools took steps to improve air quality during pandemic
Districts still have unmet needs, face high costs and outdated building infrastructure.
Codes and Standards | May 4, 2021
Cost to keep Miami dry over next few decades is $4 billion
Rising seas demand big investment.
Codes and Standards | May 3, 2021
Fire stops critical to preserving three-decker housing
Old multi-family structures continue to provide badly needed homes in urban zones.
Codes and Standards | Apr 29, 2021
Dept. of Energy publishes energy savings analysis for ANSI/ASHRAE/IES Standard 90.1-2019
More than 4% savings for commercial buildings found for the updated code.
