What Is LEED?

LEED is the most well-known and prestigious certification for green buildings and environmentally sustainable projects. The certification promotes design and construction that saves energy, conserves water, reduces waste and drives community improvements.

LEED certification offers numerous advantages for project managers and their future residents or clients.

• Efficiencies in meeting environmental, social and corporate governance (ESG) goals
• A leading performance management system for green design, construction and operations
• Lower carbon emissions
• Improved indoor air quality

Obtaining a LEED certification requires an investment in time and money. Smaller, non-commercial projects and homeowners may find it time-consuming and expensive. However, there are long-term advantages to becoming LEED compliant that could balance out the initial spend.

Builders, designers, governments and institutions receive financial benefits from LEED certification.

• Reduced operating costs
• Increased asset value
• Qualifications for tax rebates, zoning allowances and other incentives
• Improved rental and occupancy rates
• Increased sale value
• Marketing advantages

All types of buildings can be LEED certified, including those still under construction. Governments and institutions can also apply to certify neighborhood development or city planning projects. Each type of project has its own certification and will have different requirements to receive certification.

• BD+C: Building Design and Construction applies to schools, retail, hospitality, data centers, healthcare, warehouses and distribution centers.
• O+M: Building Operations and Maintenance includes existing buildings undergoing improvement work or little to no new construction. It applies to schools, retail, hospitality, data centers, warehouses and distribution centers.
• ID+C: Interior Designs and Construction applies to commercial interiors as well as retail and hospitality.
• ND: Neighborhood Development is for new land development or redevelopment projects containing homes, non-residential projects or combination projects.
• Homes: Residential projects include single-family and multifamily homes.
• Cities and Communities: Cities or segments of a city, which allows for management of water and energy use, waste or public transportation.

LEED Zero is another certification option for all BD+C or O+M projects. This is for projects with goals for net zero carbon missions or net zero resource usage.

LEED also offers individual accreditations for professionals with expertise current sustainability standards. These accreditations are earned by passing a LEED exam through the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) which can be done in-person or remotely.

• The LEED Green Associate credential recognizes individuals with documented, up-to-date understanding of current green building practices and principles.
• The LEED AP (Accredited Professional) With Specialty credential recognizes individuals with advanced knowledge in green building practices and expertise in a particular LEED rating system. To earn this accreditation, candidates must already have passed the Green Associate exam.

Obtaining a LEED certification requires an application and review process with the USGBC. Check if your building or project meets LEED criteria. Determine the best type of certification for you and consult with LEED professionals as needed.

The LEED certification process has four major steps.

• Register: Create an account associated with the project on the USGBC website. Complete the required forms, provide documentation and pay the application fee.
• Apply: Submit the application for the project and pay the review fee.
• Review: The application will be reviewed by Green Business Certification Inc.
• Certify: Wait for GBCI to send the certification decision.

Work with the USGBC representative during the certification review process. Answer questions and provide supplemental documents as needed.

You will receive your certification when the USGBC makes its determination. Fees are based on the size of the project.

LEED sustainability promotes energy efficiency and conservation. During the certification process, buildings score points based on factors like design and location. Standards promote environmental sustainability and vary based on the nature and needs of the project.

• Integrative process: Green building design and construction that takes an integrative approach to water and energy systems
• Location and transportation: Proximity to public transportation, reduced parking footprints and other factors related to cars and commuting
• Sustainable sites: Limiting the environmental impact of construction activities, reducing light pollution and heat islands and other sustainability factors
• Water: Conserving water outdoors and indoors, like installing water-efficient toilets
• Energy: Using solar power and renewable energy sources, as well as the installation of LED lights and energy-efficient HVAC
• Materials & Resources: Designating space for storage and collection of recyclables, as well as sourcing renewable or natural materials
• Indoor Environmental Quality: Improving air quality using low VOC materials, air filters with a 8 MERV rating or higher and other methods

There are many criteria within LEED sustainability standards, and each one can allow a building project to score points towards certification. Some points are awarded for updates to operations and project management, but others may require renovations. Buildings are also rated on environmental factors such as their distance from areas with high flood risk or access to public transportation.

Each of the criteria are assigned different point values, and project managers can choose which initiatives to work on using the LEED credit library. However, there are some key initiatives project managers may consider working on before they decide on any major renovation or restructuring.

• Integrative Process Approach (1 Point): Create a letter of intent outlining your approach to integrative processes using LEED’s analysis.
• Access to Quality Transportation (1-5 Points): Find a location for the building project that is close to reliable and frequent public transportation.
• Enhanced Commissioning (2-6 points): Implement LEED-approved commissioning processes as they relate to resource usage, air quality and durability.
• Building Life-Cycle Impact Reduction (1-5 points): Reduce environmental impact during project planning stages through reusing building materials, using recycled materials, or show a reduction in material usage with a life-cycle assessment.

Buildings are awarded different levels of certification based on the number of points they scored in their review process. A minimum of 40 points is required for basic LEED verification. However, organizations with buildings that score above 50 points are certified at the silver, gold or platinum levels. The levels also correspond to the organization’s USGBC membership. Higher levels receive more benefits.

• LEED Certified (40-49 Points): Promotional advantages and members-only resources
• LEED Silver (50-59 Points): Complimentary educational courses and savings on further certifications
• LEED Gold (60-79 Points): Extra time for complimentary courses and special promotional opportunities
• LEED Platinum (80+ Points): Organization logo on the USGBC homepage and leadership recognition in the USGBC network

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