LEED

Note: Links on this page go to the national USGBC site, where there is a wealth of resources at your disposal. For Green Building on Long Island, remember to visit us here at USGBC-LI.org.

What is LEED®?

LEED is transforming the way we think about how buildings and communities are designed, constructed, maintained and operated across the globe.

LEED, or Leadership in Energy & Environmental Design, is a green building certification program that recognizes best-in-class building strategies and practices. To receive LEED certification, building projects satisfy prerequisites and earn points to achieve different levels of certification. Prerequisites and credits differ for each rating system, and teams choose the best fit for their project.

What is LEED Certification?

The first step to LEED certification is to register your project. A project is a viable candidate for LEED certification if it can meet all prerequisites and achieve the minimum number of points to earn the Certified level of LEED project certification. To earn certification, a building project must meet certain prerequisites and performance benchmarks ("credits") within each category. Projects are awarded Certified, Silver, Gold, or Platinum certification depending on the number of credits they achieve. This comprehensive approach is the reason LEED-certified buildings have reduced operating costs, healthier and more productive occupants, and conserve our natural resources.

LEED is flexible enough to apply to all project types.

Each rating system groups requirements that address the unique needs of building and project types on their path towards LEED certification. Once a project team chooses a rating system, they’ll use the appropriate credits to guide design and operational decisions.

There are five rating systems that address multiple project types:

LEED on USGBC.org

Building Design and Construction

LEED on USGBC.org

Interior Design and Construction

LEED on USGBC.org

Building Operations and Maintenance

LEED on USGBC.org

Neighborhood Development

For more information, including resources and how to get LEED-Certified, find out more at USGBC.org - the US Green Building Council. Or you can reach out to us here and we'll work with you to get you up to speed on the latest in Green construction.