The report analyzes the performance of building projects certified under LEED 2009. It includes the frequency of credits earned across LEED’s four rating systems – New Construction, Existing Buildings, Commercial Interiors, and Core and Shell (see table at right).
Of projects certified in a 12-month period between 2012 and 2013, USGBC finds that these buildings have an average ENERGY STAR score of 85 and energy use intensity (EUI) that is 31% lower than the national average. Additionally, these projects diverted 57% of their non-construction waste from landfills.
Credit weightings in LEED 2009 use a framework from the EPA’s TRACI (Tool for the Reduction and Assessment of Chemical and Other Environmental Impacts) and input from the National Institute of Standards. For LEED v4, credit weighting is based on the following impact categories:
- Reverse contribution to climate change (35%)
- Enhance human health and well-being (20%)
- Protect and restore water resources (15%)
- Promote sustainable and regenerative resource cycles (10%)
- Protect biodiversity and ecosystems services (10%)
- Enhance community, social equity, environmental justice, and quality of life (5%)
- Build a greener economy (5%)
The weighting for each v4 impact category is based on the built environment’s ability to drive change in the corresponding area.
