TTE Innovation Center | LEED Gold | Photo: Shigeo Ogawa
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).
Platinum
80+ points earned
Gold
60-79 points earned
Silver
50-59 points earned
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.