LEED v4.1 BD+C/ID+C addenda release

The April 2023 quarterly addenda saw several edits for LEED v4.1 BD+C and ID+C; this is the first significant update since the November 2020 release. We believe these quarterly addenda are intended to be the last substantial changes for these two beta systems, as priorities have shifted to LEED v5. Though we do not expect LEED v4.1 to be finalized in a ballot, it continues to be available for registration as a whole rating system or for à la carte credit substitution on LEED v4 BD+C and ID+C projects. (It is important to note that LEED v4.1 BD+C is not available to residential projects, which should continue to register for LEED v4 BD+C.) 

Additionally, as recently announced, all LEED v4 or v4.1 projects registered after April 21^st must use all addenda in place at time of registration. This is a return to previous norms. 

Ask a reviewer and they will find it hard to recall a project that isn’t substituting a LEED v4.1 credit. We encourage project teams to review the addenda and consider which credit substitutions will add value to their LEED v4 project. Highlights of the update include: 

• IP credit Integrative Process: Resiliency is now available as an assessment criterion, replacing Site Selection. As interest in resiliency grows in the marketplace, this change should be welcomed by project teams. 

• SS credit Protect and Restore Habitat: The adjustments expand this credit to be available to 100% greenfield sites. 

• EA credit Renewable Energy: Lower thresholds are available for Core & Shell projects recognizing limited control of total building energy use including tenant energy use. 

• MR credit Building Life-Cycle Impact Reduction: Allowance to use a combination of options to maximize points, allowing existing buildings targeting points for reuse to also target performing a LCA and embodied carbon reductions.

• MR credit Construction and Demolition Waste Management: Under Option 2, Waste Prevention, the requirements for demolition waste have been separated from new construction waste, which expands this option to projects with large amounts of demolition. There is now only one threshold available for new construction waste prevention. 

• EQ prerequisite Minimum IAQ Performance: Revised requirements for projects with residential spaces, including the requirement to include CO alarms in all units regardless of equipment installed in the unit. 

• EQ credit Low Emitting Materials: Clarifications on product categorizations. 

Updated Resources 

• LEED v4.1 Beta Guide (BD+C or ID+C) 
• LEED v4.1 Rating System Tracked Changes (BD+C or ID+C)  

The addenda update also includes updates to several pilot credits and interpretations. See the quarterly update for more details.