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What is LEED®?
The Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Green Building Rating System™ encourages and accelerates global adoption of sustainable green building and development practices through the creation and implementation of universally understood and accepted tools and performance criteria. |
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The Sustainable Forestry Initiative® (SFI) program is based on the premise that responsible environmental behavior and sound business decisions can co-exist.
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The U.S. Green Building Council is the nation’s foremost coalition of leaders from across the building industry working to promote buildings that are environmentally responsible, profitable and healthy places to live and work. Council members work together to develop LEED® products and resources. |
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Why Build Green?
The built environment has a profound impact on our natural environment, economy, health and productivity.
In the United States, buildings account for:
- 36% of total energy use/65% of electricity consumption
- 30% of greenhouse gas emissions
- 30% of raw materials use
- 30% of waste output/136 million tons annually
- 12% of potable water consumption
More industry statistics are available on our Research page.
Breakthroughs in building science, technology and operations are available to designers, builders and owners who want to build green and maximize both economic and environmental performance.
Environmental benefits:
- Enhance and protect ecosystems and biodiversity
- Improve air and water quality
- Reduce solid waste
- Conserve natural resources
Economic benefits:
- Reduce operating costs
- Enhance asset value and profits
- Improve employee productivity and satisfaction
- Optimize life-cycle economic performance
Health and community benefits:
- Improve air, thermal and acoustic environments
- Enhance occupant comfort and health
- Minimize strain on local infrastructure
- Contribute to overall quality of life
LEED®, the "Leadership in Energy & Environmental Design" Green Building Rating System, is the nationally accepted standard for green buildings developed by the USGBC membership.
LEED Rating Systems (as of Feb. 15, 2008)
- New Construction
- LEED for New Construction and Major Renovations is designed to guide and distinguish high-performance commercial and institutional projects.
- Existing Buildings
- LEED for Existing Buildings: Operations & Maintenance provides a benchmark for building owners and operators to measure operations, improvements and maintenance.
- Commercial Interiors
- LEED for Commercial Interiors is a benchmark for the tenant improvement market that gives the power to make sustainable choices to tenants and designers.
- Core & Shell
- LEED for Core & Shell aids designers, builders, developers and new building owners in implementing sustainable design for new core and shell construction.
- Schools
- LEED for Schools recognizes the unique nature of the design and construction of K-12 schools and addresses the specific needs of school spaces.
- Retail
LEED for Retail recognizes the unique nature of retail design and construction projects and addresses the specific needs of retail spaces.
- Healthcare
- LEED for Healthcare promotes sustainable planning, design and construction for high-performance healthcare facilities.
- Homes
LEED for Homes promotes the design and construction of high-performance green homes.
- Neighborhood Development
- LEED for Neighborhood Development integrates the principles of smart growth, urbanism and green building into the first national standard for neighborhood design.
- LEED Rating System Drafts
- Review and comment on proposed final drafts of new and updated LEED Rating Systems.
- LEED Frequently Asked Questions
- This is a great resource for first time LEED users and experienced project team members alike.
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