A number of volunteer committees and taskforces have been formed to develop key elements of the next generation of the LEED Canada rating system. Their work is guided by the goal to streamline certification and make it easier and faster, and relevant to all types of buildings. When the next generation of the LEED Canada rating is launched in 2009, it will feature:

Custom credit sets – flexibility to select project-specific prerequisites and credit sets based upon building type and life cycle parameters. These will consider actual energy and water use performance, and emphasize carbon emission reductions.

Web-based delivery – the new online process will reduce cost to project teams and streamline certification, while providing a value-added building performance management system for owners and managers to support continuous performance improvement.

Technical rigour – best current scientific, risk and life-cycle assessment knowledge developed in collaboration with leading standards organizations.

Scalability – distributed, online delivery through LEED licensed certifiers and assessors, engaging LEED accredited building owners, managers, program and service providers, will support the rapid expansion of certified buildings and communities while maintaining the technical rigour of LEED. Project teams will be able to register multiple buildings and community developments.