As more cities, states and countries begin to incorporate net zero requirements for buildings—and as innovations in building technology improve alongside those policies—the need for a more stringent, progressive set of guidelines has emerged.

LEED Zero provides such a framework. A complement to LEED certification, it helps project teams transition from leadership in design to leadership in performance. Introduced in 2018, the certification verifies that a building is meeting net zero goals in carbon, energy, water or waste. Projects across the U.S., China, Brazil and Europe are already participating.

On Sept. 15, industry professionals will have an opportunity to join an in-depth workshop on LEED Zero during NZ20, the Net Zero Conference. The session will focus on the critical need for action as global climate change and carbon emissions continue to create complex human health, environmental and economic challenges. LEED v4.1 is already driving the green building industry to higher levels of holistic sustainability performance. Now, LEED Zero takes this one step further and provides critical third-party certification of net zero energy, carbon, water and waste performance.

The workshop will break down definitions, key concepts, equations and other requirements to achieve LEED Zero Energy and LEED Zero Carbon certifications. It will also explore connections to relevant LEED v4.1 prerequisites and credits that start project teams down the path to LEED Zero.

As we prepare for World Green Building Week, which will once again call on the industry, policymakers and governments to take action to deliver net zero buildings, now is the time to commit to the leadership standards that will put us on a path to a better future.

Join us at NZ20

LEED Zero at NZ20: Leadership in performance