Green Building and LEED

What is a Green Building?
Green or sustainable building is the practice of creating healthier and more
resource-efficient models of construction, renovation, operation, maintenance, and
demolition. Green buildings are environmentally friendly, externally and internally. A
green building has a positive impact on the quality of human life.

What is LEED?

LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) Certification distinguishes building projects that have demonstrated a commitment to sustainability by meeting the highest performance standards. The LEED Green Building Rating System® is a voluntary, consensus-based national standard for developing high-performance, sustainable buildings.

What is the rating system?
LEED is a rating system, established in 1999 by the U.S. Green Building Council
(USGBC), a non profit group that sought to establish a national standard for what defines
a green building. The rating system has two distinct functions: (1) to serve as a design
guideline; and (2) to provide independent evaluation of achievements in the area of green
building design, construction, and management.

The USGBC states that the rating system is based upon five key areas of human
and environmental health, including:

• sustainable site development
• water savings
• energy efficiency
• materials selection
• indoor environmental quality

Once a project is registered, the project design team must prepare documentation to satisfy the prerequisite and credit submittal requirements. Credits are based on several factors that contribute towards a green building initiative including, but not limited to, environmental, economic, and community issues. The LEED Certification Levels are then awarded based on the number of "green credits" the project has incorporated into its design.

Visit the
United States Green Building Council
to learn more about LEED