LEED by the USGBC has been an incredibly successful program. In fact, I would argue that the program’s success will be precisely what brings about it’s obsolescence.
From the outside looking in, one of the goals that I saw for LEED was to change the way that businesses, developers, architects and communities thought about buildings and efficiency. Since it’s implementation I would say that it has succeeded in this. Codes and local regulations have been updated to reflect LEED standards. The government (one of the largest occupiers of space) has adopted the standard. Many businesses have utilized their adoption of LEED standards as a marketing advantage. But as LEED gains mass adoption it will begin to lose meaning.
If everyone is LEED certified, what’s the value of the certification anymore? This is not a bad thing, but a natural reality. The USGBC has led an incredible effort that has made tremendous impact. Now they have to innovate and move even further forward if they want to remain relevant.
Classic innovator’s dilemma. To change means to give up what has made them successful, but to remain with what is successful may mean obsolescence.