The USGBC Impact Report tracks the U.S. Green Building Council’s three decades of progress in guiding the built environment to a sustainable future, plus its essential role in establishing green building standards the world over. The USGBC Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design green building rating system has emerged since 1998 to an inventory of nearly 200,000 certified projects and 30 billion square feet of built environment in 186 countries. LEED-rooted practices and specifications underpin certified projects’ combined savings of 120 million metric tons of carbon dioxide emissions to date. That volume indicates LEED-certified projects’ tendencies to reduce CO2 emissions by 34 percent and consume 25 percent less energy when measured against conventional building alternatives.
“The impact of our community extends beyond buildings,” says Council CEO Peter Templeton. “Our global community has shaped policy, shifted markets toward sustainable and healthy materials, inspired generations of professionals, and proven that the built environment can be a leading contributor to a better future for all.”
“The green building community encompasses member organizations of all sizes and sectors, from large corporations to small businesses to local governments and research institutions,” he adds. “Each organization plays a pivotal role in advancing our vision of a world where buildings operate in harmony with the environment.”
LEED and 200,000-plus credential holders have established green buildings as a global priority, driven innovation, and influenced the way commercial, industrial and residential projects are designed, constructed, and operated. The rating system has also influenced building materials or products and construction practices, making many more sustainable offerings or methods commonplace.
USGBC’s 2024 Strategic Plan builds on the progress of the past 30 years, with a focus on expanding the green building community, accelerating the role of buildings in decarbonizing economies, and fostering equitable, healthy, and resilient communities. In 2025, USGBC will launch LEED v5, aligning building decarbonization actions with 2030 and 2050 Paris Agreement targets and addressing critical imperatives related to human health, resilience, biodiversity, and equity.
A Pennsylvania precast operation was geared to LEED certification in 2003 as the rating system gained traction outside commercial and institutional building practice.
Document is posted at www.usgbc.org.