leed

LEED, or Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design, is a widely used green building certification system developed by the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC). It provides a framework for healthy, efficient, and sustainable buildings and communities, validating a project’s design, construction, operation, and maintenance performance through a points-based rating system.

Since its introduction in 1998, LEED has evolved through multiple versions to reflect advances in sustainability science and building practice. Projects earn points across categories such as location and transportation, sustainable sites, water efficiency, energy and atmosphere, materials and resources, indoor environmental quality, innovation, and regional priority. Depending on the applicable rating system—BD+C (new construction and major renovations), ID+C (interior design), O+M (building operations and maintenance), ND (neighborhood development), or LEED for Homes—projects can achieve levels of Certified, Silver, Gold, or Platinum.

Certification is administered by Green Building Certification Institute (GBCI), which conducts independent reviews and sometimes on-site verification. The program has seen widespread adoption in the United States and internationally, influencing building codes, procurement standards, and market incentives, and serving as a credential for professionals through LEED accredited roles.

Critics note that certification costs and time can be substantial, and that energy or performance outcomes depend on many factors beyond certification. Some argue that the program’s credits may not always align with actual post-occupancy performance, leading to concerns about greenwashing. Still, LEED remains a prominent benchmark for sustainable building practice and a driver of market transformation.