LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) is a sought-after building certification; over 105,000 buildings worldwide have received it. This certification isn’t limited to buildings; it can also be achieved for neighbourhoods and even entire cities. 

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Certifications like LEED show that the design and performance of built environments is eco-friendly. And that’s something we desperately need, as the buildings and construction sectors are responsible for a staggering 37% of emissions. 

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However, LEED certifications have declined recently due to stricter requirements, business cost-cutting and fragmented green building rating systems. Before you run in the opposite direction, hear us out for a bit.  

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In this article, we’ll cover everything you need to know about LEED certification, from the types of rating systems to how to get certified and the benefits of achieving it. There’s a lot to cover, so let’s start with the obvious first question.

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What is LEED certification?

The LEED certification is a sustainability certification program for buildings, homes and other built environments introduced by the non-profit US Green Building Council (USGBC). It provides a framework for designing, constructing and managing eco-friendly buildings.

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LEED certification is recognised worldwide in over 186 countries. Various rating systems designed for specific building categories are used. The certification also has several levels, which are awarded based on the score achieved by the building.  

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The requirements and guidelines are updated frequently to align with the latest developments and standards related to environmental design. At the time of writing, LEED v4.1 is the current version, with LEED v5 in the works. The latter will have significant changes, incorporating better accountability with considerations for climate action. 

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Type of LEED rating systems 

One of the highlights of LEED is that it caters to a wide variety of buildings, both under construction and existing. To get certified, you must choose the appropriate rating system based on the type of building. 

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The LEED v4.1 provides the following rating systems:

• LEED Building Design and Construction (BD+C): This is the rating system for new construction or major renovations of buildings. This category also has specific guidelines for schools, retail, data centres, warehouses, hotels, and hospitals 
• LEED Interior Design and Construction (ID+C): This rating system is exclusively for the interior of buildings, complete with furniture, fixtures, and equipment. The guidelines cater to three categories: Retail, hospitality, and other commercial buildings 
• LEED Building Operations and Maintenance (O+M): This rating system applies to fully operational existing buildings that have been in operation for at least a year. It’s further divided into ‘Existing Buildings’ and ‘Existing Interiors’
• LEED for Residential: This rating system is similar to the BD + C system but relevant to residential properties. It provides guidelines for single and multi-family homes 
• LEED Neighbourhood Development: This rating system applies to new developments containing residential, non-residential properties or a mix of both
• LEED Cities and Communities: This LEED rating system is made for cities and communities (as defined in the jurisdiction). It can be used for both new and existing cities and communities

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LEED certification levels and points

LEED certification has levels, which are assigned based on the cumulative points a project has earned. The higher the points, the higher the level of certification. Here are the certification levels and corresponding points range:

As you can see, to get certified, the project must score at least 40 points. In other words, any project applying for a LEED certification must meet the prerequisite conditions and baseline requirements set out in the corresponding rating system. 

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Points are awarded based on credits for a particular rating system. There are nine categories of credits: 

1. Integrative Process
2. Location and Transportation
3. Sustainable Sites
4. Water Efficiency
5. Energy and Atmosphere
6. Materials and Resources
7. Indoor Environmental Quality
8. Innovation
9. Regional Priority

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Each category has various credits with varying points. Some credits may be worth a single point, whereas some can be upwards of five. The prerequisite credits don’t carry any points, as these must be satisfied to qualify for any level of certification. As for the other credits, applicants can choose which credits they want to apply for to get certified. 

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Who can apply for LEED certification?

LEED certification applies to buildings, homes and even neighbourhoods or cities. Building owners and developers can register to get certification for their buildings. The certification doesn’t have geographical limitations, so any building anywhere can get certified. 

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The non-profit behind LEED, USGBC, reviews the application and documentation, determines whether the building meets the basic requirements, and calculates the points based on credits. Reviewers rely on self-reported data from building owners or managers. 

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Also, for new construction projects, at least 60% of the floor must be completed to be eligible for certification. So, planned projects that have not been constructed can’t be certified. 

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How to get LEED certified? 

Here’s the question of the hour. Getting your building LEED-certified requires careful planning and document preparation. The process is entirely online and can take up to a month. Yes, that’s long, but it is essential to get all the prerequisites in order. 

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Also, be mindful of the deadlines associated with the different versions of LEED rating systems. Some may be open for certification but not registration, meaning if you’ve registered, you may still get certified, but no new registrations are accepted. If both registration and certification have closed (called certification sunset) for a particular version, that version is no longer used. 

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Here’s what the LEED certification process looks like:

Choose the rating system

First of all, you must pick the rating system for your building. This depends on the building type and construction phase. For instance, buildings currently under construction should use the LEED BD + C rating system. Even within that rating system, you can choose a specific building type, such as a school. 

Understand the minimum requirements

Each rating system has baseline requirements that must be satisfied. The credits come after these requirements, which earn the building points after fulfilling these. Think of it as the bare minimum to get certified. 

Aim for a certification level

Assess your building’s readiness against the rating system requirements and the credits you plan to apply for. Based on your assessment, you can aim for a certain certification level, such as LEED Gold. If your building is not yet ready to achieve the level you’re aiming for, you may want to implement changes to get enough credits. 

Register your project

Register the project online through LEED Online and pay the fee. Then, submit all the required documents according to the rating system. 

Review

USGBC will review your application and determine whether the building meets the basic requirements and which credits it can earn. Based on those credits, a final score will be tallied. And the property will be certified based on that outcome. 

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LEED certification cost

To get a LEED certification, you must pay a registration fee at the time of registration. This overall cost varies based on the rating system and project size. The latest rates at the time of registration are used. You can find the fee structure here.  

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Typically, the bigger the project, the higher the cost. However, USGBC members can get discounts. In Europe, the fee is charged in Euros, whereas US dollars are used elsewhere. 

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Benefits of LEED-certified buildings

Although LEED certification is optional for buildings, achieving it has several benefits (which may not all be related to the environment). It’s a significant undertaking for new and existing buildings, but getting that shiny LEED-certified plaque on your building may be worth the effort and money. 

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Here’s why:

• Lower emissions: Of course, the main benefit of LEED certification is that your project follows guidelines for becoming more sustainable. Whether it’s energy efficiency, waste management, or using natural materials, following the guidelines for a green certification like LEED may have a notable positive impact on the environment 
• Better ESG performance: A LEED certification means the building has sustainable construction and performance, which can be great for the ESG bottom line of the companies behind it. For example, investors with a real estate portfolio can benefit from having LEED-certified buildings, as these buildings will have a lower carbon footprint 
• Cost savings: Initiatives that help buildings attain LEED certification can also result in cost savings. For instance, energy consumption can be optimised, reducing energy bills. 
• Favourable reputation: It’s simple – a green certification like LEED looks good and shows stakeholders a strong commitment to the environment 

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Certified green!

Certifications like LEED, BREEAM, and DGNB help new and old buildings become more eco-friendly. While these certifications are not the only solution, they’re definitely helpful in making the building sector more accountable and responsible. 

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Although the admin required to get certified can be a lot, why not take some of the load off using a carbon accounting system that makes it quick and easy to consolidate your property's energy data in one place? At comundo, we provide carbon accounting software built with accurate data input in mind so you don’t have to worry about the quality of data provided. Dispersed energy providers? Not a problem, comundo brings them all together.

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FAQs 

How long does LEED certification last?

LEED certification under the rating systems BD+C (Building Design and Construction) and ID+C (Interior Design and Construction) doesn’t expire. However, owners/managers may choose to recertify when new rating system versions are introduced. The LEED certification under O+M (Operations and Maintenance) lasts three years and requires a recertification. 

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What is LEED accreditation?

LEED accreditation is a professional credential for individuals, different from a certification. It shows that a person has the knowledge and skills to apply LEED principles to building projects. 

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There are different levels of LEED accreditation, but the most common one is LEED Green Associate. A LEED accreditation allows individuals to provide consultation on projects up for certification. 

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What is the minimum size for LEED certification?

The minimum building size for LEED certifications under the BD+C and O+M rating systems is 93 square metres of gross floor area, and for the ID+C rating system, it is 22 square metres.

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