What is LEED? Print E-mail

Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design

Developed by the USGBC, the LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) Green Building Rating System is a voluntary, consensus-based national standard for designing, constructing and operating high-performance, sustainable buildings. LEED was created to:

  • Define 'green building' by establishing a common standard of measurement
  • Promote integrated, whole-building design practices
  • Recognize environmental leadership in the building industry
  • Stimulate green competition
  • Raise consumer awareness of green building benefits
  • Transform the building market

How Does LEED work?


LEED recognizes achievements and promotes expertise in green building through a comprehensive, point-based system. Using the system, building owners can measure their success in environmental stewardship.


USGBC has designed LEED programs for the following construction:

  • New Construction (NC)
  • Existing Buildings (EB)
  • Commercial Interiors (CI)
  • Healthcare (HC)
  • Schools
USGBC has designed five main categories to achieve LEED points:
  • Sustainable Sites
  • Water Efficiency
  • Energy & Atmosphere
  • Materials & Resources
  • Indoor Environmental Quality

Buildings can earn four levels of certification:
Note - Points vary depending on construction type.

  • Certified
  • Silver
  • Gold
  • Platinum

Water Efficiency:

  • Innovative Wastewater Technologies
  • Water Reduction 20%-40%

Materials & Resources:

  • Recycled Content, specify 10% - 20%
  • Local/Regional Materials, 10% - 20% manufactured locally

Note - No building products are LEED certified; only buildings are certified. Building products can only contribute to earning points in various categories.