Organization USGBC ILFI

Scheme LEED Zero Energy LEED Zero Carbon Zero Energy Certification Zero Carbon Certification

Program
Project must have LEED BD+C or LEED O+M Certification None
Prerequisites

0 – 6,967 m2 $0.065/ m2
0 – 46,451 m2 $1500 for members 6,968 m2 – 23,225m2 $0.055/ m2
$2000 for non-members 23,226 m2 – 46,451 m2 $0.040/ m2
46,451 m2 & more $2500 for members 46,452 m2 & more $0.035/ m2
Fees
$3000 for non-members
 No additional registration fees; above fees inclusive of
 No additional registration fees. registration, support services, two-part third-party audit
and certification.
 minimum rate $3,750.

Email leedzero@usgbc.org to initiate project online Must obtain Living Future Membership then proceed with
Registration process
registration. project online registration.

Projects must submit documentation to GBCI for review, Projects must submit documentation on the ILFI online
Submission process similar to the conventional LEED process through LEED certification platform for onward independent third-party
Online portal (Arc). audit.

Offset the project

Offset the project
operational energy use
Certification
with on-site renewable
Requirements
energy, off-site renewable
energy, or carbon offsets
operational energy use with
Offset the project carbon on-site or off-site renewable
emissions from energy, after demonstrating
operational energy & Offset the project operational certain % of modeled savings.
occupant transportation energy use with only on-site
with on-site renewable renewable energy Disclose and offset the
energy, off-site renewable project embodied carbon
energy, or carbon offsets emissions with on-site carbon
sequestering materials or
purchasing carbon offsets.

 Athena Impact Estimator

Embodied Carbon  Environment Agency’s Carbon Calculator for Construction Activities
approved calculation  eTool
N/A
Tools (LCA Tools)  One Click LCA
 Tally
 Other Tools might be used upon prior approval

Documentation 12 months of performance Data 12 months of performance Data

Requirements [utility bills or procurement contracts] [utility bills or procurement contracts]

Validity of
Valid for three years from the date of acceptance No expiry
certification

Guidelines Collective Standard is available online Standard is available online Standard is available online

The certification process must undergo 2 audits

Additional Resources Also available LEED Zero Water & LEED Zero Waste
[Initial Audit (called Ready Audit) + Final Audit]

 The LEED Zero program fees come in a maximum price of $3,000, while the ILFI program fees come in a minimum
price of $3,750, making the ILFI programs more expensive.
 LEED Zero Energy considers both site and source energy, while ILFI Zero Energy only considers site energy.
Remarks
 The ILFI Zero Energy Certification is more rigorous in allowing only offset energy use with on-site renewable energy.
 The ILFI Zero Carbon Certification is more rigorous as it accounts for embodied carbon emissions with a maximum
allowable limit.