How does the LEED Building Rating System work and what are its benefits?
The Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Green Building Rating System™ is a voluntary, consensus-based standard to support and certify successful green building design, construction, and operations. Under the point-based system, projects must satisfy certain prerequisites and earn LEED points that meet specific green building criteria in six categories: Sustainable Sites, Water Efficiency, Energy & Atmosphere, Materials & Resources, Indoor Environmental Quality, and Innovation in Design (projects can earn points for green building innovations). As a third-party validation of a building’s performance, LEED serves as a catalyst for market transformation by providing guidelines and a performance-based certification system to promote integrated, whole-building design practices in the building industry. LEED certified projects blend environmental, economic, and occupant-oriented performance; cost less to operate and maintain; are energy- and water-efficient; have higher leas
