by Brianna Crandall — February 12, 2014—Canadian green building practitioners and facilities managers involved in green building projects should take note that the Canada Green Building Council (CaGBC) has announced the availability of the next generation of the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) rating system, LEED v4, in Canada. The CaGBC will continue to deliver and administer LEED in Canada working with its longstanding partner, the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC).
Canadian LEED v4 projects will be certified by CaGBC using LEED Online in collaboration with the Green Building Certification Institute. To ensure LEED v4 will meet the expectations of the Canadian marketplace, CaGBC is actively participating in the LEED International Roundtable and leading development of Alternative Compliance Paths (ACPs).
The ACPs will provide a streamlined way for Canadian projects to demonstrate compliance with credit requirements. This approach to tailoring LEED to the Canadian market reportedly allows CaGBC to speed up the delivery of the new system to market, and to make all LEED rating systems available in Canada, including those specifically designed for schools, healthcare facilities, data centers and hotels, as well as volume certification.
“We are pleased that LEED will continue to be adapted to Canadian standards and Canadian projects will be certified in Canada,” says Thomas Mueller, President and CEO of the CaGBC. “LEED v4 presents the next generation of building rating systems with increased emphasis on energy efficiency and reducing carbon emissions, building performance and material lifecycle assessment. Introducing Environmental Product Declarations (EPDs) is an important first step toward reducing environmental impacts from materials and enhancing public health.”
In order to facilitate the transition to LEED v4, Canadian projects will still be able to register under the current rating system, LEED Canada 2009, until June 1, 2015. This will give professionals and owners a period of time to learn about and prepare for the new requirements, notes the CaGBC.
“LEED is now the most widely used green building program in the world, with Canada being the first international user beginning in 2002. Canada has since grown to be one of the most sophisticated green building markets in the world. The Canadian industry is well positioned to meet the increased stringency of LEED v4, continue to drive innovation, and reduce environmental impacts across the country,” says Mueller.
The USGBC believes that the launch of LEED v4 in Canada and the renewed commitment with the CaGBC are key to the ongoing success of LEED in North America. “Canada’s leadership in the global conversation is a testament to LEED’s flexibility and rigor, and reflective of the close partnership we’ve enjoyed,” says Rick Fedrizzi, president, CEO and founding chair of the USGBC.
LEED v4 and the Canadian ACPs will be officially launched in Canada at Building Lasting Change 2014, the CaGBC’s annual national conference taking place in Toronto from June 2 to 4.
In addition to LEED, the CaGBC also supports such programs as the Living Building Challenge, Passive House Standard, and EcoDistricts in Canada.
