New LEED Rating System Tool Addresses Unique Challenges Posed by European Built Environment

New LEED Rating System Tool Addresses Unique Challenges Posed by European Built Environment

In an effort to accelerate sustainable development around the world, the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC), creators of the LEED Green Building Rating SystemTM, have added Alternative Compliance Paths (ACPs) for LEED projects in Europe. ACPs are a tool that allows LEED to be more flexible and applicable for a range of building projects across the globe. The first round of ACPs, tailored for Europe, will provide global consistency and new pathways for projects to demonstrate compliance.

"The new LEED Existing Building alternative compliance paths will make it simpler (and cheaper) for local projects to comply with certification requirements while still ensuring the global consistency of the rating system", says Eric Johnson, secretary of the Czech Green Building Council’s Board of  Directors, who  participated in the development of the ACPs.The LEED 2009 EBOM Europe Alternative Compliance Paths were developed in cooperation with European members of the LEED International Roundtable, led by GBC Italia, and approved by the LEED Steering Committee. Czech Green Building Council participated in the development of the ACPs.

This approach leveraged the expertise of international users by developing solutions directly in conjunction with the market. Working group countries included: Germany, France, Turkey, Spain, Sweden, Italy, Romania, Czech Republic, Finland, Norway and Poland.

USGBC will continue working to ensure the flexibility of the LEED rating system for all markets and climates through the development of more ACPs.LEED encourages sustainable development and green building practices around the world. Currently there are LEED-registered and certified projects in more than 140 countries and territories globally. Daily, (140,000 square meters) of construction space earn LEED certification.

U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC)
The U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) is an organization representing over 13,000 members from the built environment. USGBC works toward its mission of market transformation through its LEED green building program, robust educational offerings, a nationwide network of chapters and affiliates, the annual Greenbuild International Conference & Expo, and advocacy in support of public policy that encourages and enables green buildings and communities. For more information, visitusgbc.org and connect on Twitter, Facebook and LinkedIn.

LEED
The U.S. Green Building Council's LEED green building certification system is the foremost program for the design, construction, maintenance and operations of green buildings. Every day, more than 1.5 million square feet (140,000 square meters) of space is certified using LEED.  Nearly 54,000 projects are currently participating in the commercial and institutional LEED rating systems, comprising 9.7 billion square feet (905,812,824 square meters) of construction space in more than 140 countries and territories. In addition, close to 40,000 residential units have been certified under the LEED for Homes rating system, with more than 100,000 homes registered. Learn more atusgbc.org/leed and review the Foundations of LEED development process.

Source: USGBC