LEED Zero showcases the accomplishments of outstanding projects in areas essential to achieving a regenerative future. Projects can enhance their current LEED certification or LEED O+M registration by obtaining one or more of the following LEED Zero certifications:
LEED Zero Carbon certifies buildings that have achieved net zero carbon emissions over the past year. This certification offers a transparent assessment of the carbon balance resulting from energy use and occupant transportation, compared to carbon emissions that are avoided or offset. In the future, it will also include carbon emissions from water consumption, waste generation, and the embodied carbon of materials used in the overall carbon balance.
LEED Zero Energy acknowledges buildings that have maintained a net zero source energy use balance over the past year.
LEED Zero Water Certification acknowledges buildings that have maintained a net-zero potable water use over the past year.
LEED Zero Waste Certification acknowledges buildings that have attained the TRUE Zero Waste certification at the Platinum level from GBCI.
LEED Zero promotes a comprehensive approach to buildings and environments, aiming to improve the health and well-being of occupants and the natural ecosystem. This initiative is increasingly crucial in light of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) report from October 2018, which outlines the effects of global warming between 1.5°C and 2°C above pre-industrial levels on environmental, human health, and economic systems. In essence, addressing climate change necessitates significant transformations in the structural and consumption habits of human society, alongside the implementation of adaptive and integrated carbon reduction, sustainable development, and resilience strategies across all scales.
For more than twenty years, LEED has been instrumental in directing and motivating projects to achieve superior performance and diminish greenhouse gas emissions through comprehensive building strategies that affect energy, transportation, water, waste, and materials. The built environment is pivotal in expediting the shift to a low-carbon society and improving the health of both natural and human ecosystems.
Capitalizing on the success of LEED as a market transformation tool, LEED Zero certifies the attainment of net zero objectives and demonstrates market leadership in the built environment.
Participants are eligible to pursue multiple LEED Zero certifications simultaneously.
Program Prerequisites
Projects must obtain LEED certification under a BD+C or O+M rating system.
Core and Shell certified projects can qualify for LEED Zero if the building satisfies LEED's minimum occupancy requirements throughout the performance period. Specifically, the building must maintain an average occupancy of at least 50% over the preceding 12 months.
For projects seeking LEED Zero Carbon, LEED Zero Energy, and LEED Zero Water certification:
1. Submit 12 months of performance data necessary for the desired certification to GBCI.
2. Upon achieving a carbon-dioxide equivalent (CO2E) balance of zero, a source energy use balance of zero, and/or a potable water use balance of zero, the team proceeds to submit for GBCI review.
Projects aiming for LEED Zero Waste certification must submit their TRUE Zero Waste Platinum certification for review by GBCI.
Certification Process
LEED Zero certification fees are available here.
1. Registration Process
Electronic Mail leedzero@usgbc.org To register your project, please note that there is no registration fee.
2. Share Performance Data and Provide Documentation
Submit performance data related to the certification being sought. Please upload the supporting documentation as specified in the Required Documentation section.
3. Certification Evaluation
Please identify the 12-month performance period for the project’s LEED Zero application and send the details via email. leedzero@usgbc.org To verify that the project's application is prepared for review.
The LEED Zero certification review process entails both a preliminary and a final review, conducted by GBCI. The review period spans 15 to 20 business days.
LEED Zero certification remains valid for three years from the date it is accepted. During this period, projects are required to submit performance data annually, or more frequently, to maintain the certification's validity.
LEED Zero projects undergo recertification every three years to ensure their certifications remain current.
LEED Zero Carbon Certification
To achieve LEED Zero Carbon certification, a project is required to attain a carbon dioxide equivalent (CO2E) balance of zero for the past year:
Carbon Balance = Total Carbon Emissions - Total Carbon Avoided
The calculation of carbon emissions is based on the energy delivered and the transportation of occupants. Carbon avoidance encompasses on-site renewable energy generation and its export to the grid, off-site renewable energy procurement, and the acquisition of carbon offsets. The generation and on-site utilization of renewable energy decrease the need for delivered energy.
The project must retain all environmental benefits associated with renewable energy generation or procurement.
Table 1 presents an overview of the carbon balance.
Table 1: Carbon Balance
Computations
Equation 1: Annual CO2e Emissions from Electricity Consumption
Annual CO2e from Electricity Consumption = Annual electricity consumption (kBtu) × Grid coefficient for the location (g CO2E/kBtu)
Annual carbon dioxide equivalent emissions (CO2e) are automatically calculated based on electricity data provided by projects. This electricity consumption is converted into equivalent greenhouse gas emissions using the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) subregional grid mix coefficients for U.S. and Canadian projects, as well as national grid mix coefficients from the International Energy Agency’s (IEA) “CO2 Emissions from Fuel Combustion 2017.”
Alternatively, projects located in the United States and Canada have the option to perform an offline calculation to determine CO2e emissions from electricity on an hourly basis, utilizing EPA’s AVERT tool or another source providing hourly carbon emissions factors for the regional grid. Projects in other countries can also conduct an offline calculation to ascertain CO2e emissions from electricity on an hourly basis, provided there is a suitable source of hourly carbon emissions factors for their respective grid.
Equation 2: Annual CO2e Emissions from Fuel Consumption
Annual CO2e from fuel = annual fuel consumption (BTU) x carbon emission factor for the fuel (CO2E/BTU)
Greenhouse gas emissions equivalents are automatically calculated based on the project's fuel consumption, utilizing the U.S. EPA fuel coefficient values.
Equation 3: Yearly CO2e Emissions from Transportation
Based on the routine feedback from building occupants and visitors via an occupant transportation survey, the project's greenhouse gas emissions are automatically calculated as annual CO2e, which results from occupant transportation to and from the building. The project team is required to conduct at least one occupant transportation survey every 365 days.
An emissions value is determined for each building occupant who completes the survey as follows:
Equation 3a: CO2e value for each route provided to the occupant
CO2e for the route (lbs) = (CO2e lbs/mile) × distance traveled in miles
Table 4: CO2e Emissions for a One-Way Trip by Mode of Transit:
Equation 3b. CO2e per occupant:
CO2e per individual occupant (lbs.) = (Total CO2e for the route) / Number of routes
For visitors, the calculations account for a single route, as their survey encompasses just one direction and one day.
For regular building occupants, calculations might involve multiple routes since their survey seeks data about two commutes within a week and accounts for all seasonal or yearly variations. Each route is given equal weight.
Equation 3c. Calculate CO2e per one-way trip per occupant (lbs.)
Project CO2e per one-way trip per occupant (lbs.) = (Total CO2e for individual occupant) / Number of occupants in survey
Equation 3d: Survey Scaled CO2e Value for Each Occupant
Survey Scaled CO2e value for each occupant = Average Survey CO2e value for each occupant (lbs.) × Total Occupants × Operating days per week × 2 trips/day × Survey period (weeks)
Equation 3e: Annual CO2e Value for Transportation:
Annual CO2e value for transportation = (∑ all Scaled Survey Period CO2E values for each occupant)
Equation 4. Annual Carbon Avoidance from Onsite Renewable Energy Generation and Exportation to the Grid
Annual Carbon Avoided from On-Site Renewable Energy Generated and Exported to Grid = ∑ hourly electricity generation (kWh) from on-site renewable energy x hourly carbon emission rates for the recipient grid
Conduct an offline calculation to determine the CO2e avoided from on-site generated electricity on an hourly basis using the EPA’s AVERT tool or another source of hourly carbon emissions factors for the regional grid. In cases where hourly data are unavailable, monthly or annual on-site generated electricity may be utilized to calculate avoided carbon emissions using the AVERT marginal emission factor specific to the renewable energy type and region for the most recent year available.
Equation 5. Annual Carbon Avoided from Offsite Renewable Energy Procured
Annual Carbon Avoided from Off-Site Renewable Energy Procured = ∑ hourly electricity generation (kWh) from off-site renewable energy x hourly carbon emission rates for the recipient grid
Conduct an offline analysis to determine the CO2e avoided from off-site generated electricity on an hourly basis using the EPA’s AVERT tool or another source of hourly carbon emissions factors for the regional grid. In the absence of hourly data, monthly or annual generation and emissions rates may be utilized to calculate avoided carbon emissions using the AVERT marginal emission factor for the specific renewable energy type and region, based on the most recent year available.
When acquiring Energy Attribute Certificates (EACs), also referred to as Renewable Energy Certificates (RECs), it is essential that these EACs are Green-e Energy certified or possess an equivalent certification. Similarly, carbon offsets must be Green-e Climate certified or hold an equivalent certification.
Projects are required to annually purchase EACs or carbon offsets throughout the three-year certification period. On-site renewable energy generation and consumption will fluctuate based on weather and operational conditions, resulting in varying purchase requirements each year. For the LEED Zero certification review, it is sufficient for the project owner to provide a written commitment to purchase EACs or carbon offsets, as applicable, annually during the three-year certification period to maintain the net zero carbon balance.
Renewable Energy Guidelines
LEED Zero acknowledges both on-site and off-site renewable energy exports, aligning with the methodology presented in LEED v4.1. Once passive strategies have been maximized and investments in energy efficiency have been made to minimize overall energy demand, project teams are advised to adhere to a hierarchy when choosing renewable energy sources:
1. On-site generation;
2. Local generation, such as community solar or wind, in scenarios where it contributes positively to decarbonization efforts;
3. Projects for offsite generation, such as those involving power purchase agreements;
4. Energy Attribute Certificates (EACs), also referred to as Renewable Energy Certificates (RECs)
Supplementary Guidance – LEED Zero Carbon:
For projects seeking LEED Zero Carbon certification, avoided carbon calculations are determined using the most reliable data available for the recipient grid, prioritizing hourly carbon factors.
Energy generated onsite and exported to the grid is factored into carbon balance calculations, with a focus on the avoided carbon emissions at the time of export. A building exporting excess solar energy to a grid already rich in solar power may achieve minimal carbon reduction. In contrast, a building equipped with onsite solar energy production and storage capabilities, allowing for the export of excess power during periods when the grid relies heavily on fossil fuels, would achieve greater carbon reduction effects.
Renewable energy procured off-site is factored into carbon balance calculations based on the recipient grid and the generation time.
LEED Zero Energy Certification
To achieve LEED Zero Energy certification, a project must demonstrate a net zero source energy use balance over the previous year. This net zero energy balance is determined by the amount of source energy delivered compared to the amount of renewable energy that offsets non-renewable energy on the grid. Renewable energy produced and consumed on-site decreases the amount of energy delivered.
Source Energy Balance = (Total Source Energy Delivered) – (Total Non-Renewable Source Energy Displaced)
This equation may also be expressed as:
Source Energy Balance
= (total energy delivered × nonrenewable source conversion factor)
− (total renewable energy generated and exported to the grid
× nonrenewable source conversion factor
+ (procurement of offsite renewable energy
× nonrenewable source conversion factor))
To determine the source energy delivered to the project, apply the national average ENERGY STAR Source-Site Ratios for each building energy source. These ratios can be found in the Energy Star Portfolio Manager Technical Reference: Source Energy, applicable for projects in the U.S. and Canada.
International projects can utilize either the U.S. source-to-site ratios or the published source-to-site ratios specific to the country or multi-country region where the project is situated. Consistent source energy conversion factors should be applied for calculating both energy delivered and non-renewable energy displaced.
The environmental benefits of all renewable energy generation or procurement must be retained by the project.
Table 2 presents a comprehensive overview of the source energy balance.
Table 2: Source Energy Balance
When purchasing Energy Attribute Certificates (EACs), also referred to as Renewable Energy Certificates (RECs), ensure that the EACs are Green-e Energy certified or equivalent. Carbon offsets must also be Green-e Climate certified or equivalent.
Projects are required to purchase EACs annually throughout the three-year certification period. On-site renewable energy generation and consumption will fluctuate based on weather and operating conditions, leading to variations in the required purchase each year. For LEED Zero certification review, the project owner must confidently provide a written commitment to purchase EACs annually during the three-year certification period to maintain the net zero source energy balance.
LEED Zero Water Certification
To achieve LEED Zero Water certification, a project must maintain a potable water use balance of zero for the past year.
Water Balance = Total Potable Water Consumed – (Total Alternative Water Used + Water Returned to Original Source)
Table 3 confidently presents an overview of the water balance.
"Water returned to its original source" encompasses rainwater that is stored, infiltrated, or evapotranspirated through green infrastructure, as well as wastewater that is treated and returned to the local watershed or aquifer via decentralized wastewater treatment systems. The calculations for the volume of rainwater retained and infiltrated on-site must adhere to the calculation methodology specified under the LEED v4 Sustainable Sites credit for Rainwater Management.
Table 3: Water Balance
LEED Zero Waste Certification
To obtain the LEED Zero Waste certification, a project must meet the requirements set by GBCI.
TRUE Zero Waste certification At the Platinum level, the TRUE Zero Waste program mandates that projects implement a zero waste policy, achieve an average diversion rate of 90% or higher from landfill, incineration (waste-to-energy), and the environment for solid, non-hazardous wastes over the past 12 months, and meet five additional minimum program requirements.
A project team submits their TRUE Zero Waste Platinum certification for GBCI review to obtain LEED Waste Certification.
Necessary Documentation
Projects seeking LEED Zero Carbon, LEED Zero Energy, and LEED Zero Water certification must submit 12 months of metered performance data necessary for the desired certification through Arc. Further required documentation is detailed in Table 7.
Table 7: LEED Zero Documentation Requirements
Comments