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Extracted Content

For Tier 3 fuel, the EACs retired on behalf of the LEED project must have a mechanism to prevent double counting and meet one of the following criteria:

• Be certified under an eco-label or similar program developed by an independent organization with transparent accounting process and standards in place

• Be officially recognized as a renewable fuel source in the country, province, state, or locality in which the project is located

Option 3. Total Greenhouse Gas Emissions from Building Energy Use

This option rewards projects for achieving a percentage reduction in total greenhouse gas emissions associated with building energy use, calculated using two different pathways. Path 1. Performance Relative to Similar Buildings compares the emissions target to a similar building, while Path 2. Performance Relative to Historical Baseline compares the target to a historical baseline.

It is recommended that projects pursuing Option 3 analyze the emissions factor from the utility grid and align decarbonization efforts based on the grid context. For example, projects can prioritize electrification on a cleaner grid before installing onsite renewables. On a dirty grid or a grid powered by fossil fuel generation equipment, energy efficiency and renewable energy will have the greatest impact on reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions.

PROJECT TOTAL GHG EMISSIONS DETERMINATION

Project total GHG emissions are calculated based on project annual energy use reported in EAp3: Minimum Energy Performance, Tier 1 and Tier 2 renewable energy reported in Option 2. Renewable Energy above, and the greenhouse gas emissions factors for each energy source serving the project.

Project GHG Emissions Factors

Default GHG Emissions factors for each energy source are based on the project’s location. These may be adjusted with custom factors in certain instances.

ELECTRICITY DEFAULT ELECTRICITY GHG EMISSIONS FACTORS For the U.S., default electricity GHG emissions factors are per eGRID region. For Canada, default electricity GHG emissions factors are per province. European emissions factors come from the European Environment Agency (EEA). Other locations use available Climate Transparency Data.

U.S. Green Building Council LEED v5 Reference Guide for Operations and Maintenance, April 2025 Launch Edition 148