Latest news with #LEEDv5
Trade Arabia
28-04-2025
- Business
- Trade Arabia
US Green Building Council launches new LEED rating system
The US Green Building Council (USGBC) has launched LEED v5, the latest version of its flagship LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) green building programme. LEED v5 builds on the 25-year legacy and global impact of LEED, updating and strengthening the most widely recognised, influential sustainability standard for the building industry while providing user-friendly tools for building owners and teams to pursue certification through enhanced technology updates, a statement said. "Since its public launch 25 years ago, LEED has profoundly impacted millions of people in cities and communities around the world,' said Peter Templeton, President and CEO of USGBC. 'LEED v5 raises the bar, further defining and evolving best practices and giving stakeholders across the building industry clear pathways to address today's challenges to our health, climate, and communities.' Meeting today's challenges The newest version of the LEED standard was developed with input from thousands of green building professionals to respond to today's most pressing challenges and the significant opportunities at the intersection of sustainability and buildings. LEED v5 focuses on impact areas that touch decarbonization, human and ecological health and resilience. The new version further defines what it means to be a high-performance building today, creating even greater investment potential. Decarbonisation accounts for half of all points for LEED v5 certification to confront current climate needs. The new rating system provides clear, actionable steps to deliver ultra-low-carbon buildings by targeting emissions reductions across all aspects of the building lifecycle, including operations, embodied carbon, refrigerants, and transportation. All LEED v5 projects will complete an operational carbon projection and will be given tools to craft a comprehensive, long-term decarbonisation strategy, creating pathways for sustainable transformation. Quality of life credits focus on human-centric strategies that address the health and well-being of occupants and the communities in which buildings are located. Global demand for healthier and greener spaces has grown in recent years, with occupants increasingly demanding more transparency and accountability around sustainability and health in the built environment. Resilience is another major theme across the rating system, addressing both human and natural systems to strengthen communities. All LEED v5 projects will complete climate resilience assessments to enhance awareness of hazards, increase transparency of risks, reduce vulnerabilities and ensure long-term safety and sustainability. These assessments equip projects to conserve and restore ecosystems, mitigate risks, and minimize business disruptions while protecting asset value—contributing to economic prosperity and safety across communities. Once projects conduct their assessments, LEED v5 offers a variety of strategies that can be incorporated at every stage of the building lifecycle to reduce risk and enhance resilience. 'Investors, owners, occupants, and policymakers are asking for high-performing buildings that reduce emissions, mitigate climate risk, provide healthy, productive spaces, positively impact communities, and protect natural systems,' said Sarah Zaleski, chief products officer of USGBC. 'LEED v5 provides the best practices and accountability to drive performance across all these dimensions, delivering tangible benefits to building owners and their stakeholders.' A sound investment LEED-certified assets are proven to drive return on investment and greater future earning potential. Notably, LEED buildings achieve a 21.4% higher average market sales price per square foot over non-LEED buildings; average 11% higher rent rates; attract more favorable and stable financing options; and reduce water, energy and waste by more than 20%. These environments also result in healthier and more productive employees and occupants. "For more than two decades, LEED has played a critical role in transforming the real estate sector at a global scale by bridging the gap between sustainability and commercial value,' Anica Landreneau, senior principal and director of sustainability, HOK. 'It has empowered organizations to develop high-performance buildings that significantly reduce environmental impacts and provide healthier, more resilient spaces for occupants, while also supporting the achievement of business goals." A sustainability story for every project LEED is the most widely used and globally recognised leadership certification that helps building owners clearly articulate their sustainability commitment and achievement, which is verified through rigorous third-party certification. All projects certified under LEED v5 will receive impact reports to communicate their strategies and performance to internal and external stakeholders. In addition, the new project priorities category allows customization of LEED to meet the unique opportunities across all global regions and market sectors. LEED provides the necessary transparency and integrity for a project's certification, ensuring project teams deliver on design plans and goals. The standard drives additional accountability tied to project-specific goals and gives building owners the proof points to successfully meet goals and proudly articulate those outcomes. 'LEED v5 represents a bold step forward in transforming the built environment,' said Grace Kwok, chief sustainability strategist, AEC Capital Limited. 'It emphasises climate resilience, recognizing the need to adapt our built environment to a changing climate. We have the privilege to complete the first LEED v5 project in Asia, with ICC (International Commerce Centre) setting a new benchmark and leading the charge for innovation and excellence in green buildings.' LEED v5 was developed with the help and support of USGBC's vast global ecosystem of knowledgeable members and volunteers. In 2024, USGBC held two public comment periods, receiving more than 7,000 comments from LEED users worldwide that informed the final version of the rating system. USGBC members ratified the new version earlier this year, providing a final endorsement of the new rating system.
Trade Arabia
06-03-2025
- Business
- Trade Arabia
King Abdullah Financial District gets three new LEED certifications
King Abdullah Financial District Development and Management Company (KAFD DMC) has announced that it has obtained three new LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) Platinum certifications from the US Green Building Council (USGBC). This further solidifies its position as the world's largest LEED Platinum-certified business and lifestyle destination. During an official visit to King Abdullah Financial District (KAFD), Peter Templeton, the President and CEO of US Green Building Council, presented the certifications, recognizing KAFD's fire station, headquarters, and the Public Investment Fund (PIF) Tower. The KAFD Fire Station was awarded LEED Platinum for building design and construction, the Headquarters for Interior design and construction and PIF Tower - the tallest building in Riyadh - earned it for operations and maintenance. Templeton's visit included high-level discussions on LEED v5, KAFD's sustainability roadmap, and the district's future plans for integrating green technologies into its infrastructure. Later the Financial District executives also led a tour showcasing its LEED-certified buildings. During the presentation, Templeton emphasized the significance of KAFD's achievements, stating: "From the KAFD Headquarters to the PIF Tower and the fire station, these projects are driving a fundamental transformation in how buildings are designed, built and operated." "Achieving LEED certification is not just about implementing sustainable practices; it represents a commitment to creating a better world and inspiring others to follow suit. With the urgent need for climate protection and the critical role buildings play in this effort, KAFD is setting a path for a more sustainable future," he added. KAFD DMC Chief Asset Delivery Officer Faddy AlAql said: "We are committed to operating with an environmentally conscious approach, integrating sustainable infrastructure that enhances urban resilience and ensures a high quality of life." "This commitment is reflected in key projects such as the KAFD Fire Station, the first of its kind in the world, which features exceptional energy efficiency and enhances community safety," he noted. "The KAFD headquarters serves as a model for sustainable high-performance buildings, while the PIF Tower stands as a benchmark for smart and eco-friendly operations. Through these initiatives, we continue to build a thriving, forward-thinking urban environment centered on innovation and sustainability," he stated. KAFD continues to establish itself as a leading smart and sustainable district, becoming the first in the Middle East and North Africa (Mena) to earn WiredScore certification for urban neighborhoods, said AlAql.
Leaders
18-02-2025
- Business
- Leaders
KAFD Earns 3 LEED Platinum Certifications, Boosting Sustainability Leadership
The King Abdullah Financial District Development and Management Company (KAFD DMC) has been awarded three new LEED Platinum certifications by the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC), further cementing its status as the world's largest LEED Platinum-certified business and lifestyle destination. During an official visit to KAFD, USGBC President and CEO Peter Templeton presented the certifications, recognizing the district's fire station, headquarters, and the Public Investment Fund (PIF) Tower. The KAFD Fire Station earned LEED Platinum for Building Design and Construction, KAFD Headquarters received LEED Platinum for Interior Design and Construction, and the PIF Tower—the tallest building in Riyadh—secured LEED Platinum for Operations and Maintenance. LEED v5, KAFD Templeton's visit also included discussions on LEED v5, KAFD's sustainability roadmap, and future plans for integrating green technologies into its infrastructure. KAFD executives led a tour showcasing the district's LEED-certified buildings. Faddy AlAql, Chief Asset Delivery Officer at KAFD DMC, highlighted the district's commitment to sustainability: 'At KAFD, we prioritize environmental responsibility by integrating sustainable infrastructure that enhances urban resilience and quality of life. The KAFD Fire Station, the first of its kind globally, sets a new standard for energy efficiency and community safety. Our headquarters exemplifies sustainable high-performance building design, while the PIF Tower serves as a benchmark for smart and eco-friendly operations. These initiatives reinforce our vision of a thriving, forward-thinking urban environment driven by innovation and sustainability.' Templeton Templeton underscored the significance of KAFD's achievements, stating: 'These projects—from KAFD Headquarters to the PIF Tower and the fire station—are transforming the way buildings are designed, built, and operated. LEED certification is more than adopting sustainable practices; it reflects a commitment to a better world and inspires others to follow suit. With the pressing need for climate action and the crucial role buildings play, KAFD is paving the way for a more sustainable future.' KAFD continues to position itself as a leading smart and sustainable district. It is the first in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region to earn WiredScore certification for urban neighborhoods. With over 40 LEED Silver- and Gold-certified buildings, KAFD remains dedicated to integrating smart infrastructure, energy-efficient design, and innovative urban solutions that enhance business, lifestyle, and sustainability. Related Topics : KAFD Enhances Smart City Sustainability, Security in New Strategic Partnership Riyadh Metro, Desert Dream Train Emerge among Most Anticipated Projects in 2025 Global Logistics Forum 2024 in Riyadh: Reshaping Global Trade Map Saudi Arabia Boosts Maritime Connectivity with Egypt Short link : Post Views: 1
