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LEED

LEED stands for green building leadership. LEED is transforming the way we think about how buildings and communities are designed, constructed, maintained and operated across the globe.


LEED certified buildings save money and resources and have a positive impact on the health of occupants, while promoting renewable, clean energy.

LEED, or Leadership in Energy & Environmental Design, is a green building certification program that recognizes best-in-class building strategies and practices. To receive LEED certification, building projects satisfy prerequisites and earn points to achieve different levels of certification. Prerequisites and credits differ for each rating system, and teams choose the best fit for their project. Still curious about what LEED is or why you should use it? Learn more in the LEED digital marketing brochure.

LEED v4 is the newest version of the world's premier benchmark for high-performance green buildings.

This version is bolder, more specialized, and designed for an improved user experience.

Here's why LEED v4 is better:

  • Includes a focus on materials that goes beyond how much is used to get a better understanding of what's in the materials we spec for our buildings and the effect those components have on human health and the environment
  • Takes a more performance-based approach to indoor environmental quality to ensure improved occupant comfort
  • Brings the benefits of smart grid thinking to the forefront with a credit that rewards projects for participating in demand response programs
  • Provides a clearer picture of water efficiency by evaluating total building water use

Features and tools

The key to success is making sure you're using the right tools. LEED v4 is backed by a supporting cast of tools and resources.

  • Discover which LEED v4 rating system applies to your project. Get started.
  • Read the LEED v4 Users Guide.
  • View LEED v4 sample forms.
  • Access LEED v4 education.
  • View LEED v4 projects.
  • Did you know that LEED 2009 can test drive LEED v4 credits? Learn more.
Access LEED Online and other certification tools for your project

LEED is flexible enough to apply to all project types.

Each rating system groups requirements that address the unique needs of building and project types on their path towards LEED certification. Once a project team chooses a rating system, they’ll use the appropriate credits to guide design and operational decisions.

There are five rating systems that address multiple project types:

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

Building Design + Construction spacer

Applies to buildings that are being newly constructed or going through a major renovation; includes New Construction, Core & Shell, Schools, Retail, Hospitality, Data Centers, Warehouses & Distribution Centers, and Healthcare. Learn more

  • View the LEED v4 BD+C rating system PDF
  • View the LEED v4 BD+C scorecard
  • View the reference guide introduction and overview

Interior Design + Construction spacer

Applies to projects that are a complete interior fit-out; includes Commercial Interiors, Retail and Hospitality. Learn more

  • View the LEED v4 ID+C rating system PDF
  • View the LEED v4 ID+C scorecard
  • View the reference guide introduction and overview

Building Operations + Maintenance spacer

Applies to existing buildings that are undergoing improvement work or little to no construction; includes Existing Buildings, Schools, Retail, Hospitality, Data Centers, and Warehouses & Distribution Centers. Learn more

  • View the LEED v4 O+M rating system PDF
  • View the LEED v4 O+M scorecard
  • View the reference guide introduction and overview

Neighborhood Development spacer

Applies to new land development projects or redevelopment projects containing residential uses, nonresidential uses, or a mix. Projects can be at any stage of the development process, from conceptual planning to construction; includes Plan and Built Project. Learn more

  • View the LEED v4 ND rating system PDF
  • View the LEED v4 ND scorecard
  • View the reference guide introduction and overview

Homes spacer

Applies to single family homes, low-rise multi-family (one to three stories), or mid-rise multi-family (four to six stories); includes Homes and Multifamily Lowrise and Multifamily Midrise. Learn more

  • View the LEED v4 Homes rating system PDF
  • View the LEED v4 Homes scorecard
  • View the reference guide introduction and overview


Certify a project

Each rating system is made up of a combination of credit categories.

Within each of the credit categories, there are specific prerequisites projects must satisfy and a variety of credits projects can pursue to earn points. The number of points the project earns determines its level of LEED certification.

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See the credit categories »
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Integrative Process

requirements, while not a credit category, promote reaching across disciplines to incorporate diverse team members during the pre-design period.

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Location and transportation

credits reward projects within relatively dense areas, near diverse uses, with access to a variety of transportation options, or on sites with development constraints.

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Materials and Resources

credits encourage using sustainable building materials and reducing waste. Indoor environmental quality credits promote better indoor air quality and access to daylight and views.

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Water efficiency

credits promote smarter use of water, inside and out, to reduce potable water consumption.

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Energy and atmosphere

credits promote better building energy performance through innovative strategies.

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Sustainable sites

credits encourage strategies that minimize the impact on ecosystems and water resources.

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Indoor environmental quality

credits promote better indoor air quality and access to daylight and views.

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Innovation

credits address sustainable building expertise as well as design measures not covered under the five LEED credit categories.

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Regional priority credits

address regional environmental priorities for buildings in different geographic regions.

LEED for Neighborhood Development additional credit categories

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Smart location & linkage

credits promote walkable neighborhoods with efficient transportation options and open space.

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Neighborhood pattern & design

credits emphasize compact, walkable, vibrant, mixed-use neighborhoods with good connections to nearby communities.

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Green infrastructure & buildings

credits reduce the environmental consequences of the construction and operation of buildings and infrastructure.

Explore The Credit Library

The number of points a project earns determines the level of LEED certification.

There are four levels of certification - the number of points a project earns determines the level of LEED certification that the project will receive. Typical certification thresholds are:

Platinum

80+ Points

Gold

60-79 Points

Silver

50-59 Points

Certified

40-49 Points


Certify a project

Why choose LEED?

LEED certification is recognized across the globe as the premier mark of achievement in green building.

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Learn more »

Proven performance

If you’re serious about saving money, conserving energy, reducing water consumption, improving indoor air quality, making better building material choices, and driving innovation, then LEED is the best choice. Bar none.

Third-party certification verifies that your project is designed, built and operating the way it was intended. It is also your first step toward managing your building through its entire lifecycle.

Continuous improvement

Behind the LEED program is an immense infrastructure developed to support the leaders in the industry as they innovate and create cutting-edge, high performance buildings. We make significant investments each year to maintain, operate and improve LEED and its delivery. No other rating system has an infrastructure that comes close.

Lifetime of returns

LEED-certified buildings cost less to operate, reducing energy and water bills by as much as 40%. Businesses and organizations across the globe use LEED to increase the efficiency of their buildings, freeing up valuable resources that can be used to create new jobs, attract and retain top talent, expand operations and invest in emerging technologies.

LEED buildings have faster lease-up rates and may qualify for a host of incentives like tax rebates and zoning allowances. Not to mention they retain higher property values.

Each LEED-registered project receives access to:

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LEED Online

Clear and convenient tool for documenting the achievement of each LEED credit. Go to LEED Online

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Customer service

Technical customer service is only a phone-call away. Users can interact with their project reviewers, the customer service team, account managers, representatives from the business development team and subject matter experts from USGBC’s LEED department.

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Professional Infrastructure

LEED projects are supported by an unrivaled infrastructure of 185,000+ industry professional credential holders.

Find the right tools for your project.

Reference Guide

Navigate your LEED project from registration through certification with LEED Reference Guides

  • LEED
    Online
  • Addenda
    Database
  • Pilot Credit
    Library
  • Credit
    Library
  • Rating System
    Documents
  • Guide to
    Certification
Related searches:
project building rating system credit
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