LEED v4 Building Life-Cycle Impact Reduction Credit: Four Options, 2 to 5 Points (v4, 2019 addenda)

The MR Building Life-Cycle Impact Reduction credit awards 2 to 5 points for New Construction in LEED v4 BD+C (2 to 6 for Core and Shell). You achieve one of four options: historic building reuse, renovation of an abandoned or blighted building, building and material reuse, or a whole-building life-cycle assessment (LCA). Only Option 4 is an LCA. This article covers LEED v4 BD+C (July 2019 addenda). LEED v4.1 is a separate version with changes to this credit and is not covered; LEED v5 has also been released (USGBC) and is not covered.

What are the four options and their points?

The credit is “2-6 points” in total; the option you choose sets the points. Source: LEED v4 BD+C rating system, July 2019 addenda, MR Credit Building Life-Cycle Impact Reduction, pp. 89-90 (PDF).

What does Option 1, Historic Building Reuse, require?

The building, or the historic district it contributes to, must be listed or eligible for listing in the local, state or national register of historic places. Do not demolish any part of the building unless it is deemed structurally unsound or hazardous. Approval of demolition comes from the local historic preservation review board for locally listed buildings, and from a programmatic agreement with the state historic preservation office or National Park Service for buildings on a state register or the U.S. National Register (or local equivalents outside the U.S.).

Alterations must follow local or national rehabilitation standards. If the building is not subject to historic review, the project team must include a preservation professional who meets U.S. federal qualifications for historic architects (or the local equivalent) and who confirms conformance with the Secretary of the Interior’s Standards for the Treatment of Historic Properties.

What does Option 2, Renovation of an Abandoned or Blighted Building, require?

The building must meet local criteria for abandoned or blighted. Maintain at least 50%, by surface area, of the existing structure, enclosure and interior structural elements, and renovate the building to a state of productive occupancy. Up to 25% of the building surface area may be excluded from the credit calculation because of deterioration or damage.

How are points earned in Option 3, Building and Material Reuse?

Reuse or salvage building materials, from off site or on site, as a percentage of the completed project surface area. The calculation includes structural elements (for example floors and roof decking), enclosure materials (skin and framing) and permanently installed interior elements (walls, doors, floor coverings, ceiling systems). Window assemblies and hazardous materials remediated as part of the project are excluded. Materials counted here may not also count toward MR Credit Building Product Disclosure and Optimization.

A project that reuses 75% of its surface area earns 4 points under Option 3 (BD&C); it does not receive the 5 points of Options 1 or 2 unless it also meets one of those options.

What does Option 4, Whole-Building LCA, require?

Option 4 applies to new construction (buildings or portions of buildings) and is worth 3 points. Conduct an LCA of the project’s structure and enclosure that shows a minimum 10% reduction, compared with a baseline building, in at least three of six impact categories, one of which must be global warming potential. No impact category assessed in the LCA may increase by more than 5% compared with the baseline building.

Baseline and proposed buildings must be of comparable size, function, orientation and operating energy performance, as defined in EA Prerequisite Minimum Energy Performance. Both must have the same service life, and it must be at least 60 years to account for maintenance and replacement. Use the same LCA software tools and data sets for both buildings, report all listed impact categories, and use data sets compliant with ISO 14044.

The credit text sets the scope as the project’s structure and enclosure and does not name accepted software tools; check the Reference Guide for current tool guidance before choosing one.

What mistakes do teams make on this credit?

• Treating the credit as a single LCA path. Three of the four options involve no LCA at all. If the project is a historic or abandoned building, or reuses 25% or more of its surface area, check Options 1 to 3 before modeling.
• Omitting global warming potential from the three reduced categories. The 10% reduction in at least three categories must include global warming potential.
• Letting any category rise more than 5%. The cap applies to every category assessed in the LCA, including the ones not selected for reduction, so report all six.
• Using different tools or data sets for baseline and proposed. The credit requires the same tools and data sets for both.
• Mismatched service lives. Baseline and proposed must share one service life of at least 60 years.
• Counting the same reused material twice. Materials used for Option 3 cannot also count toward the Building Product Disclosure and Optimization credit.

Frequently asked questions

How many points is the LEED v4 building life-cycle credit worth?

Under LEED v4 BD+C (New Construction) it is worth 2 to 5 points depending on the option: 5 for Option 1 or 2, 2 to 4 for Option 3 and 3 for Option 4. Core and Shell can earn up to 6.

Is global warming potential always required for the LCA option?

Yes. Option 4 requires a minimum 10% reduction in at least three of the six impact categories, and one of the three must be global warming potential.

What is the LCA scope?

For Option 4, the project’s structure and enclosure, assessed against a baseline building with the same service life of at least 60 years.

Does the 5% limit apply only to categories I did not select?

No. The credit text says no impact category assessed as part of the LCA may increase by more than 5% compared with the baseline building.

Do I need an LCA if I reuse most of an existing building?

Not necessarily. Option 3 awards 2, 3 or 4 points (BD&C) for reusing 25%, 50% or 75% of the completed project surface area, with no LCA.