The United States Green Building Council's (USGBC) Leadership for Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Green Building Rating System is on the forefront of green building and many people look to this rating system for guidance, as more than 3.5 billion square feet of building projects (10,000 individual projects) are registered to seek LEED certification. While it is apparent that LEED continues to grow, it is also evolving to meet the demands of the green world.

LEED 2009, or LEED Version 3 (LEED v3) is not a 'tear down and rebuild' of the current LEED Rating System, but rather a reorganization. LEED v3 looks at several aspects:

LEED Prerequisite/Credit Alignment and Harmonization
ˇ LEED 2009 seeks to synchronize and consolidate similar credits into a common program.
ˇ There is a cross pool of credits for all rating systems with credits to address different market situations.

Predictable Development Cycle
ˇ LEED will evolve on a set schedule based on the same method as building codes, and we'll look forward to the next published revision in 2011.
ˇ As new technologies are brought to market, LEED will continue to react to the rapidly changing industry through Credit Interpretation Ruling (CIRs) and performance / intent equivalent alternative compliance paths (PIEACP).

Transparent Environmental/Human Impact Credit Weighting
ˇ New weightings reflect potential to either mitigate a negative impact to humans and the environment, or to create positive impacts to the same.
ˇ Heavy emphasis is now being placed on credits that reduce a buildings carbon footprint.
ˇ Weightings take into account market analyses - what benefits are driving green building.

Regionalization
ˇ Incentives are also provided through Innovation and Design style bonus points to those credits that are most important for that region.

With LEED, and all green building rating systems, it is essential to balance the efficiency of a building with the health of the building and its occupants. For example, LEED Credit Categories include sustainable sites, water efficiency, energy and atmosphere, materials and resources, indoor environmental quality, innovation in design and regionalization. Each element is important when building green, but for the health of building occupants it is vital to ensure good indoor air quality (IAQ). Below is a break down of LEED Credit Categories and possible points.

The new weighting system has put greater emphasis on Energy and Atmosphere to the detriment of IEQ. This is a concern as many homes and buildings are being built to be as energy efficient as possible. Tight buildings mean less air ventilation, and this can result in higher levels of indoor pollutants if sources are available. The build-up of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) can come from a myriad of sources: furniture, wall coverings, bedding, hobby or repair supplies and cleaning to name a few. Without proper ventilation these chemicals have nowhere to go so they continue to pollute the indoor air.

Tight buildings and reduced ventilation puts a burden on source control and making sure products and materials are chosen that introduce the least amount of VOCs and other pollutants. Look for GREENGUARD Certified products to ensure products have been independently tested for chemical emissions and meet stringent standards based on established health criteria.

GREENGUARD Certification is not only able to help achieve good IAQ, but also contributes to LEED point attainment. GREENGUARD Certification can be used to achieve key LEED credits including:

LEED for Commercial Interiors
ˇ EQ Credit 4.3 - Low-Emitting Materials: Flooring Systems (GREENGUARD Children and Schools)

ˇ EQ Credit 4.5 - Low-Emitting Materials: System Furniture

ˇ Innovation in Design Credit - Low-Emitting Materials, Adhesives and Sealants (GREENGUARD Children and Schools)

ˇ Innovation in Design Credit - Low-Emitting Materials, Paints and Coatings (GREENGUARD Children and Schools)

LEED for New Construction/Core & Shell
ˇ EQ Credit 4.3 - Low-Emitting Materials: Flooring Systems (GREENGUARD Children and Schools)

ˇ Innovation in Design Credit - Low-emitting furniture can be applied toward an innovations credit following the criteria for LEED-CI EQ Credit 4.5 (administrative credit ruling AD00, date 1/23/03).

ˇ Innovation in Design Credit - Low-Emitting Materials, Adhesives and Sealants (GREENGUARD Children and Schools)

ˇ Innovation in Design Credit - Low-Emitting Materials, Paints and Coatings (GREENGUARD Children and Schools)

LEED for Existing Building
ˇ EQ Credit 3.3: Green Cleaning: Purchase of Sustainable Cleaning Products & Materials (GREENGUARD Children and Schools)

ˇ Innovation in Design Credit - Low-emitting furniture can be applied toward an innovations credit following the criteria for LEED-CI EQ Credit 4.5 (administrative credit ruling AD00, date 1/23/03).

LEED for Schools
ˇ EQ Credit 4 - Low-Emitting Materials (GREENGUARD Children and Schools)
o Option 1 - Adhesives & Sealants
o Option 2 - Paints & Coatings
o Option 3 - Flooring Systems
o Option 4 - Composite Wood & Agrifiber Products
o Option 5 - Furniture & Furnishings
o Option 6 - Ceiling and Wall Systems
o EQ Credit 10 - Mold Prevention (GREENGUARD for Building Construction)

LEED for Homes
ˇ MR Credit 2.2 - Environmentally Preferable Products (GREENGUARD Children and Schools) - Insulation

LEED Retail for Commercial Interiors/New Construction
ˇ EQ Credit 4 - Low-Emitting Materials (GREENGUARD Children and Schools)
o Option A - Adhesives & Sealants
o Option B - Paints & Coatings
o Option C - Flooring Systems
o Option D - Composite Wood & Agrifiber Products
o Option E - Furniture & Furnishings
o Option F - Ceiling and Wall Systems