Another successful Greenbuild (with more than 13,000 attendees!) concluded recently in Denver, and arguably the most significant piece of news to emerge from the conference was USGBC’s announcement that, pending member approval, a 50 percent reduction in carbon dioxide emissions (compared with current levels) will be a prerequisite for all future LEED projects. Moreover, all LEED projects, in addition to meeting ASHRAE 90.1-2004, which is already a prerequisite for certification, would have to meet at least two other energy optimization credits.

Both of these items were part of an eight-point Climate Action plan USGBC unveiled on the opening day of the conference. Each of these points is intended to place more emphasis on how USGBC believes green buildings can influence climate change.

These are lofty goals, to be sure. The question is whether “member approval” will be a stick in the spokes. With a completely new version of LEED (working title: LEED 3.0) still merely a dot on the horizon, these initiatives mean USGBC would essentially be adjusting LEED on the fly. Will this create confusion? Opposition? Outrage? Or will USGBC membership recognize these initiatives for what they are: Important steps toward catching up with the rest of the world in terms of focusing on greenhouse gas reductions?

PS: By the way, if you missed Greenbuild, or if Greenbuild only whetted your appetite for information about the green building industry, make sure to register for our new conference, GreenTech, co-located with the National Facilities Management & Technology Conference/Exposition, March 20-22 in Baltimore.