Source: U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC), Washington, D.C.
USGBC figures the total footprint of commercial projects certified under the LEED Green Building Rating System has surpassed one billion square feet worldwide, while practitioners continue to pursue LEED certification for facilities covering six times that amount of space.
Since the certification was introduced in 2000, over 36,000 commercial projects and 38,000 single-family homes have participated in LEED. By consuming less energy, USGBC contends, certified buildings save money for families, businesses and taxpayers; reduce greenhouse gas emissions; and, contribute to healthier environments for residents, workers and the community.
“This traction demonstrates the transformation of the way we design, build and operate buildings,” says USGBC Founding Chairman Rick Fedrizzi. “Not only does green building contribute to saving energy, water and money, it also creates green jobs that will grow and energize our economy.” The milestone is a testament to the global effort to meet USGBC’s vision that buildings and communities will regenerate and sustain the health and vitality of all life within this generation, he adds.
“The impact of these one billion square feet can be seen in communities around the world,” says Peter Templeton, president of the LEED-centered Green Building Certification Institute. “The use of LEED represents a growing global commitment to improving our built environment for future generations.”