LEED 2009

Launched in April 2009, LEED 2009 is the current version of the LEED green building program. LEED 2009 is built on the fundamental structure of the previous rating systems while ensuring new technology and urgent priorities are addressed.

To improve the commercial and institutional LEED rating systems in the LEED 2009 update, we focused on three areas: harmonization, credit weightings and regionalization.

Harmonization

We consolidated and aligned LEED credits and prerequisites from all of the LEED commercial and institutional rating systems, drawing on their most effective common denominators, to promote consistency. We also incorporated into the rating systems precedent-setting and clarifying information from Credit Interpretation Rulings (CIRs).

Credit weightings

We revised credit weightings to award more points to strategies that will have greater a positive impact on what matters: energy efficiency and carbon dioxide emission reduction.

We evaluated each credit against a list of 13 environmental impact categories, including climate change, indoor environmental quality, resource depletion and water intake. We prioritized the impact categories and assigned credits a value based on how they contribute to mitigating each impact. The result revealed each credit’s portion of the big picture. Now we assign the most value to credits that have the highest potential for making the biggest change.

Regionalization

By tapping the expertise of our regional councils, chapters and affiliates, we identified regionally specific environmental issues. We now award up to four extra points for strategies that address regional priority credits.