LEED

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Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) is a green building certification program used worldwide.^[3] Developed by the non-profit U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC), it includes a set of rating systems for the design, construction, operation, and maintenance of green buildings, homes, and neighborhoods, which aims to help building owners and operators be environmentally responsible and use resources efficiently.

As of 2023^[update] there were over 105,000 LEED-certified buildings and over 205,000 LEED-accredited professionals in 185 countries worldwide.^[4] In the USA, the District of Columbia consistently leads in LEED-certified square footage per capita,^[5] followed in 2022 by the top-ranking states of Massachusetts, Illinois, New York, California, and Maryland.^[4] Outside the United States, the top-ranking countries for 2022 were Mainland China, India, Canada, Brazil, and Sweden.^[6] LEED Canada has developed a separate rating system adapted to the Canadian climate and regulations.

Some U.S. federal agencies, state and local governments require or reward LEED certification. This can include tax credits, zoning allowances, reduced fees, and expedited permitting. Offices, healthcare-, and education-related buildings are the most frequent LEED-certified buildings in the US (over 60%), followed by warehouses, distribution centers, retail projects and multifamily dwellings (another 20%).^[7] Studies have found that for-rent LEED office spaces generally have higher rents and occupancy rates and lower capitalization rates.

LEED is a design tool rather than a performance-measurement tool and has focused on energy modeling rather than actual energy consumption.^[8] It has been criticized for a point system that can lead to inappropriate design choices and the prioritization of LEED certification points over actual energy conservation;^[9][10] for lacking climate specificity;^[10] for not sufficiently addressing issues of climate change and extreme weather;^[11] and for not incorporating principles of a circular economy.^[12] LEED v5 is projected to be published as of 1 January 2024^[13] and may address some of the previous criticisms.^[14][15]

Despite concerns, LEED has been described as a "transformative force in the design and construction industry".^[9] LEED is credited with providing a framework for green building, expanding the use of green practices and products in buildings, encouraging sustainable forestry, and helping professionals to consider buildings in terms of the well-being of their occupants and as part of larger systems.^[9]

Many U.S. federal agencies, states, and local governments require or reward LEED certification. As of 2022^[update] the leading five states, based on certified square feet per capita were Massachusetts, Illinois, New York, California, and Maryland.^[4]