Washington D.C., USA, 19 September 2018: The LEED rating system is soon becoming an international standard for the construction, design and operation of high-performance structures, said Marisa Long, Vice President, Communications, U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC), while talking about the latest version of the rating system. “LEED v4.1 is the newest update to the rating system that debuted earlier this year and is not a full version change, rather it is an incremental update, which enhances the rating system’s inclusivity and transparency,” she said. The new updates will make achieving the certification more accessible, while encouraging continuous improvement and emphasising on performance, said Long.

Long said, “LEED v4.1 focuses on a performance-based approach that calls for measurable results throughout a building’s lifecycle.” She explained that in addition to looking at strategies, it is also about understanding how the strategies affect the people living inside the building. She further said that LEED v4.1 encourages smart grid thinking and rewards projects that participate in demand-response programmes, while understanding how the materials used in construction impact health and the environment. “LEED is a cost-effective solution that continues to transform the built-environment and space, where people live, work, learn and play,” said Long.

While explaining how the certification is likely to give a boost to the zero emission school of thought, Long said, “Existing buildings and transit projects using LEED v4.1 have the option of pursuing certification using Arc, a state-of-the-art digital platform which benchmarks, tracks and monitors performance.” She further said that the platform provides building owners and operators with a way to track net zero carbon emissions associated with energy and transportation, in addition to an array of other performance data, including water, waste and human experiences. Elaborating on the platform, she said, “Arc generates a performance score between zero and 100 and provides greater transparency, while holding projects accountable for their actions.” The score, she added, helps communicate progress to stakeholders and helps identify areas for improvement. “Net zero cities are the future and LEED provides a holistic approach, which will help buildings and cities take the necessary steps to reach that goal.”