Updated LEED Campus Guidance

Campus functionality has now been extended to LEED v4.1 BD+C and ID+C projects through a new update to the LEED Campus Guidance. Previously, this path was only available to LEED v4. Under LEED v4 BD+C, ID+C, and O+M, projects have been able to achieve specific LEED credits at the campus master site level and have those applied to all projects attached to that master site. This allows project teams to benefit from completed shared infrastructure and reduced overall documentation.  

The LEED v4 Campus Guidance was revised in late 2024 to capture this extension to LEED v4.1, as well as other enhancements. While credit level campus guidance is noted within the LEED v4 Reference Guides, the LEED Campus Guidance is a critical tool for practitioners, as it summarizes campus information into one location as well as providing important procedural information. The guidance also covers Group projects (where two or more buildings share a common site and certification). However, note that Group functionality is not yet implemented for LEED v4.1 projects within LEED Online; instead, LEED v4 BD+C and ID+C group projects may apply the v4.1 group guidance, as applicable, to individual credits being attempted using v4.1 credit substitutions. 

The revised LEED Campus Guidance also provides improved lists of applicability information for each credit. Terms, scenarios, and explanations have been enhanced. Finally, three new prerequisites and credits are now available for the campus approach: LTc Sensitive Land Protection, EAp Fundamental Refrigerant Management, and EAc Enhanced Refrigerant Management (Option 1 only). 

Further information on setting up a campus project is available through this USGBC FAQ, and for applying the campus approach to a project, see this FAQ.