Better buildings are our legacy. Setting the standard for environmental conviction, excellence and social responsibility is more than our charge. It's also good business. 

LEED, or Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design, has changed the way we think about how buildings and communities are planned, constructed, maintained and operated. Leaders around the world have made LEED the most widely used third-party verification for green buildings, with approximately 1.85 million square feet being Certified daily.

All buildings in. 

LEED works for all buildings -- from homes and schools to corporate headquarters and factories -- at all phases of development. Projects pursuing LEED Certification earn points across several areas that address sustainability issues. Based on the number of points achieved, a project then receives one of four LEED rating levels: Certified, Silver, Gold and Platinum.

LEED was developed to address all buildings everywhere, regardless of where they are in their life cycle. From hospitals to data centers, from historical buildings to those still in the design phase, there is a LEED for every building. Select a project type below to learn more.

• Building Design and Construction
• Interior Design and Construction
• Building Operations and Maintenance
• Neighborhood Development
• Homes
  

LEED is pushing the green building industry further.

LEED Certified buildings are resource efficient, use less water and energy, and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. As an added bonus, they save money by offering lowering operating costs and better indoor environmental quality, making them attractive to a growing group of corporate, public and individual buyers. 

"If I have a one floor ride on an elevator to describe LEED, I say it is similar to
an SAT score for how green a building is designed, built and operated PLUS it
takes care of human health and productivity." 
Wayne Dunn, Engineer and founder of former USGBC North Florida Chapter

LEED v4 is bolder, more transparency and specialized for building projects worldwide.

The newest version of LEED is designed to be more flexible and improve the overall user experience. Here's why LEED v4 is better:

• MATERIALS -- Focuses on materials to get a better understanding of what's in them and the effect those components have on human health and the environment
• PERFORMANCE-BASED -- Takes a more performance-based approach to indoor environmental quality to ensure improved occupant comfort
• SMART GRID -- Brings the benefits of smart grid thinking to the forefront with a credit that rewards projects for participating in demand response programs
• WATER EFFICIENCY -- Provides a clearer picture of water efficiency by evaluating total building water use