Foundations of LEED 1_2023 - Page 007
Extracted Content
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Implementation and Maintenance of Current Version includes the improvement of LEED through the correction and clarification of credit language. It also includes fixing more substantive inaccuracies and omissions which require a more rigorous review and approval process.
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Adaptations to the existing version include the ability for both specific space types and international projects to be addressed through the creation of credit adaptations. This allows new paths to be introduced in existing credits to meet the needs of projects that would otherwise be unable to utilize the requirements in LEED.
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Next Version is the comprehensive improvement phase of LEED development through a periodic evaluation and revision process. This phase includes multiple avenues for stakeholder input and final approval. The ideas generated during the development of next version LEED credits are often tested by LEED project teams prior to ballot (either through pilot credits or an entire beta rating system). The test process is described in more detail below.
Each distinct type of LEED development is described below.
i. Implementation & Maintenance of Current Version
Implementation and Maintenance of the current version of LEED includes two primary types of activity:
- LEED Addenda
USGBC may issue periodic addenda to the LEED content. Addenda to LEED include both substantive and nonsubstantive changes to language. These are meant to clarify, correct, interpret and provide alternative language to aid in the implementation of LEED.
- LEED Updates
USGBC may issue periodic updates to LEED content. Updates include substantive changes to the rating system as part of the regular evolution of LEED and shall be done in accordance with
the LEED balloting procedures.
The processes for developing addenda and updates are outlined in Appendix 3 of this document.
ii. LEED Adaptations
The process for adaptations of the existing rating systems and their credits is designed to provide an efficient and streamlined approach for responding to the particular needs, constraints, and opportunities of different project types. By limiting the scope of adaptations, USGBC can respond to far more project types, thereby enhancing the market transformation potential of LEED.
Limiting the scope of the adaptation is important for two reasons: First, it ensures that the workload for staff, volunteers, and consultants will be manageable. Second, it keeps the revisions within the bounds of changes that can be implemented between ballots of version changes and identifies changes that must go through the consensus process. Scope will be defined in three ways:
- Number of credits that can be changed
- Types of changes that can be made
- Time that can be spent on the adaptation
Foundations of LEED | 4