Foundations of LEED 1_2023 - Page 006
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The first LEED pilot project program, also referred to as LEED version 1.0, was launched at the USGBC Membership Summit in August 1998. After extensive modifications, LEED version 2.0 was released in March 2000, with LEED version 2.1 following in 2002 and LEED version 2.2 following in 2005. This first series of rating systems was developed to largely address the needs of owneroccupied new construction commercial buildings.
As LEED has evolved and matured, the program has undertaken new initiatives. In addition to a rating system specifically devoted to building operational and maintenance issues, LEED addresses the different project development and delivery processes that exist in the building design and construction market, through rating systems for specific building typologies, sectors, and project scopes: Core & Shell, New Construction, Schools, Existing Buildings: Operations & Maintenance, Neighborhood Development, Cities & Communities, Retail, Healthcare, Homes, and Commercial Interiors.
Project teams interact with Green Business Certification Inc. (GBCI) for project registration and certification. GBCI was established in 2008 as a separately incorporated entity with the support of the U.S. Green Building Council. GBCI administers credentialing and certification programs related to green building practice. These programs support the application of proven strategies for increasing and measuring the performance of buildings and communities, as defined by industry systems such as LEED.
The green building field is growing and changing daily. New technologies and products are being introduced to the marketplace, and innovative designs and practices are proving their effectiveness. In order to drive this change, the LEED rating systems and reference guides will also evolve. Project teams must comply with the version of the rating system that is current at the time of their registration.
III. HOW LEED IS DEVELOPED
1. Overview
Since its launch in 2000, USGBC has evolved LEED to address new markets and building types, advances in practice and technology, and greater understanding of the environmental and human health impacts of the built environment. These ongoing improvements to LEED are developed by USGBC member-based volunteer committees, subcommittees, and working groups, in conjunction with USGBC staff. They are then subject to review and affirmation by the LEED Steering Committee (LSC) and the USGBC Board of Directors prior to a vote by the relevant consensus committee and ratification by USGBC’s membership. The development process is based on principles of transparency, openness, and inclusiveness.
2. Consensus
LEED is developed by USGBC member-based volunteer committees, subcommittees, and working groups in conjunction with staff. LEED development follows a structure that includes a balanced representation of stakeholders and management of conflict of interest, to ensure that the development of LEED is transparent and consensus-based. The LEED committee structure balances market needs and constraints with consistency and technical rigor in the development and improvement of the credits within LEED, to ensure the quality and integrity of the LEED brand. The balloting process of new versions reinforces the open consensus process. The appeal procedures that are implemented by USGBC further support the consensus process and ensure the fair treatment of affected stakeholders. All of these measures are essential to protecting and enhancing the integrity, authority, and value of LEED.
3. Continuous Improvement
LEED is updated through continuous improvement, which involves a regular development cycle for revisions to the rating systems, including the option for beta testing of the new rating systems by projects, and a Pilot Credit Library where proposed credits are tested and evaluated before they can be considered for incorporation into the LEED consensus process for approval by USGBC membership. Substantive revisions to LEED may go through pilot or beta testing but must undergo public comment and consensus committee approval to be formally adopted as the latest version (and consequent sunsetting of the prior version). Substantive revisions are considered anything other than simple errors and corrections to LEED.
There are three basic types of LEED development:
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