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TTE Innovation Center | LEED Gold | Photo: Shigeo Ogawa

TTE Innovation Center

LEED-certified green buildings are better buildings.

Buildings consume energy and resources at an alarming rate. We can do better. LEED provides a framework for healthy, efficient, carbon and cost-saving green buildings. LEED certification is a globally recognized symbol of sustainability achievement, and it is backed by an entire industry of committed organizations and individuals paving the way for market transformation.

How LEED works

LEED-certified buildings save money, improve efficiency, lower carbon emissions and create healthier places for people. They are critical to addressing climate change and meeting ESG goals, enhancing resilience, and supporting more equitable communities. LEED categories can also contribute toward meeting the U.N.’s Sustainable Development Goals. Explore synergies between LEED and SDGs

To achieve LEED certification, a project earns points by adhering to prerequisites and credits that address carbon, energy, water, waste, transportation, materials, health and indoor environmental quality. Projects go through a verification and review process by GBCI and are awarded points that correspond to a level of LEED certification: Certified (40-49 points), Silver (50-59 points), Gold (60-79 points) and Platinum (80+ points).

valuable

Platinum
80+ points earned

sustainable

Gold
60-79 points earned

flexible

Silver
50-59 points earned

2.2 million

Certified
40-49 points earned

LEED system goals

LEED is a holistic system that doesn’t simply focus on one building element, such as energy, water or health. Instead, it looks at the big picture, factoring in all critical elements that work together to create the best building possible. The goal of LEED is to create better buildings that:

Reduce contribution to
global climate change

Enhance individual human health

Protect and restore water resources

Protect and enhance biodiversity
and ecosystem services

Promote sustainable and
regenerative material cycles

Enhance community quality of life

Of all LEED credits, 35% relate to climate change, 20% directly impact human health, 15% impact water resources, 10% affect biodiversity, 10% relate to the green economy, and 5% impact community and natural resources. In LEED v4.1, most LEED credits are related to operational and embodied carbon. Learn more.

A LEED for every project

LEED is for all building types and all building phases including new construction, interior fit outs, operations and maintenance and core and shell. Check out our interactive Discover LEED tool to get started; then, use the rating system selection guidance to select a rating system.

 
Building Design and Construction (BD+C)

For new construction or major renovations. Includes New Construction and Core & Shell, and also includes applications for Schools, Retail, Hospitality, Data Centers, Warehouses & Distribution Centers and Healthcare.

LEED v4 BD+C rating system PDF
LEED v4 BD+C scorecard
Reference guide overview

 
Interior Design and Construction (ID+C)

For complete interior fit-out projects. Includes Commercial Interiors, and also includes applications for Retail and Hospitality.

LEED v4 ID+C rating system PDF
LEED v4 ID+C scorecard
Reference guide overview

 
Building Operations and Maintenance (O+M)

For existing buildings that are undergoing improvement work or little to no construction. Includes Existing Buildings, and also includes applications for Schools, Retail, Hospitality, Data Centers, and Warehouses & Distribution Centers.

LEED v4 O+M rating system PDF
LEED v4 O+M scorecard
Reference guide overview

 
Neighborhood Development (ND)

For new land development projects or redevelopment projects containing residential uses, nonresidential uses, or a mix. Projects can be at any stage of the development process, from conceptual planning to construction. Includes Plan and Built Project.

LEED v4 ND rating system PDF
LEED v4 ND scorecard
Reference guide overview

 
Homes

For single family homes, low-rise multi-family (one to three stories) or mid-rise multi-family (four or more). Includes Homes, Multifamily Lowrise, Multifamily Midrise. Homes and residential buildings that are greater than four stories may also use LEED BD+C.

LEED v4 Homes rating system PDF
LEED v4 Homes scorecard
Reference guide overview

 
Cities

For entire cities and sub-sections of a city. LEED for Cities projects can measure and manage their city’s water consumption, energy use, waste, transportation and human experience.

Existing Cities and Communities scorecard
New Places (Plan and Design Phase) scorecard
Guide to LEED Certification: Cities and Communities Pilot

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