Feature image: The LEED Platinum Bren Hall in Santa Barbara, California. Image credit: Bren School of Environmental Science and Management, Yuxiong Huang.

The buildings we build and operate today will have impacts that last for generations. This means that while looking ahead to LEED v5, the current versions of LEED must also move forward to address the climate crisis. This understanding has led to a proposed update to energy requirements in LEED v4 that is now approved through the USGBC member ballot process.

Beginning on March 1, 2024, all newly registering projects will be required to use the updated language. Note: this date has been extended from Jan. 1, 2024.

Preparing for the March 2024 LEED v4 Energy Update

Join us in an upcoming webinar, where we will dive into the technical requirements and options for different project types and scenarios: Jan. 10 at 8 a.m. ET and Jan. 10 at 1 p.m. ET.

Watch the recording of the webinar.

Frequently asked questions about the update

Who does the update affect?

This update will be applied to all projects that register on or after March 1, 2024. Teams with these projects will be required to use the updated language for the following LEED for Building Design and Construction (BD+C) and LEED for Interior Design and Construction (ID+C) and residential credits and prerequisite:

BD+C | ID+C | BD+C: Multifamily Midrise: Energy and Atmosphere prerequisite Minimum Energy Performance
BD+C | ID+C: Energy and Atmosphere credit Optimize Energy Performance
BD+C: Homes/Multifamily Midrise: Energy and Atmosphere credit Annual Energy Use

Projects that register before March 1 will use the version of the credit that was launched in 2013 (plus any applicable addenda) and will not be impacted by the update.

What are the new requirements?

The energy update raises the threshold for energy performance and emissions reductions, and a new greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions metric has been added. Plus, energy efficiency can now be measured using energy cost or source energy metrics, reducing some barriers to facilitating electrification. View the rating system documents.

Why update LEED v4?

This update was designed to reflect a focus on increased energy efficiency and GHG emissions reductions for all LEED projects, raising the threshold for energy performance and providing a mechanism for specifically evaluating and incentivizing GHG emissions reductions.

We have analyzed projects certified under LEED v4 to identify new thresholds that raise the floor, based on what performance data shows as being attainable, without leaving parts of the market behind. Our goal is to encourage design practices that prioritize performance at the highest levels.

What resources are available?

Projects subject to the LEED v4 update will have significant flexibility in choosing the option they use to demonstrate energy performance. In addition to the balloted rating system language, additional prescriptive, modeling and streamlined paths are available that ensure the ongoing accessibility of LEED v4 certification at scale.

The decision to update the requirements within a version of LEED is not made lightly, but has been necessary from time to time to reflect current expectations of market leadership. In previous instances, balloted updates to the Minimum Energy Performance requirements were approved for LEED v2.2 (in 2007), LEED for Homes 2008 (in 2014) and LEED 2009 (in 2016), setting a precedent for the current update. This allows the rating system to remain available while also ensuring that projects are leading by the most current standards.

Read the updated rating system documents

LEED v4 energy update approved by member ballot