A new set of global alternative compliance paths (Global ACPs) are now available for all commercial projects that are pursuing LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) green building certification using the 2009 versions of the rating system.

Global ACPs offer flexible methods for international projects to demonstrate compliance with LEED credits that are a bit more challenging outside the U.S.

“Global consistency and a regional approach mean providing flexibility in referenced standards, while ensuring LEED certification signifies the same level of excellence worldwide,” says Scott Horst, senior vice-president of LEED at the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC). “By focusing on global standards and solutions, these alternative compliance paths make LEED increasingly flexible and ensure a common language for all green buildings.”

The use of LEED outside the U.S. continues to grow. In 2012, projects outside the U.S. pursuing LEED certification made up more than 50 per cent of all floor area of all registrations.

LEED is the most widely recognized and used green building program, currently certifying 186,000 square metres of commercial space every day. There are roughly 49,100 LEED-certified and registered projects in 135 countries around the world.

Lead by Green Building Council Italia, members of the LEED International Roundtable, including Finland, France, Norway, Poland, Romania, Spain, Sweden and Turkey, are currently working to address the needs of the sector in their area by developing LEED credit options that address geographic and regional issues.

In addition, new regional priority credits have been released for projects using the 2009 versions of LEED for New Construction (NC). They are for use in Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Mexico and Turkey.

The LEED International Roundtable is an advisory group of green building councils and non-profits representing 21 countries working together to strengthen LEED’s international focus to make the rating system more effective globally.