LEED rating system

Green building leadership is LEED

LEED provides a framework for healthy, efficient, carbon and cost-saving green buildings. LEED certification is a globally recognized symbol of sustainability achievement and leadership.

How LEED works

LEED certified buildings save money, improve efficiency, lower carbon emissions and create healthier places for people. They are a critical part of addressing climate change and meeting ESG goals, enhancing resilience, and supporting more equitable communities.

To achieve LEED certification, a project earns points by adhering to prerequisites and credits that address carbon, energy, water, waste, transportation, materials, health and indoor environmental quality. Projects go through a verification and review process by GBCI and are awarded points that correspond to a level of LEED certification: Certified (40-49 points), Silver (50-59 points), Gold (60-79 points) and Platinum (80+ points).

Platinum

80+ points earned

Gold

60-79 points earned

Silver

50-59 points earned

Certified

40-49 points earned

LEED system goals

The goal of LEED is to create better buildings that:

Reduce contribution to global climate change
Enhance individual human health
Protect and restore water resources
Protect and enhance biodiversity and ecosystem services
Promote sustainable and regenerative material cycles
Enhance community quality of life

LEED is a holistic system that doesn’t simply focus on one element of a building such as energy, water or health, rather it looks at the big picture factoring in all of the critical elements that work together to create the best building possible. In fact, 35% of the credits in LEED are related to climate change, 20% of the credits directly impact human health, 15% of the credits impact water resources, 10% of the credits affect biodiversity, 10% of the credits relate to the green economy, 5% of the credits impact community and 5% of the credits impact natural resources. In LEED v4.1, a majority of the LEED credits are related to operational and embodied carbon. Learn more.

A LEED for every project

LEED is for all building types and all building phases including new construction, interior fit outs, operations and maintenance and core and shell. Unsure of which rating system to use? Check out our interactive Discover LEED tool to get started; then, use the rating system selection guidance to make a final decision.

BD+C
Building Design and Construction

For new construction or major renovations. Includes:

New Construction
Core & Shell

BD+C also includes applications for: Schools, Retail, Hospitality, Data Centers, Warehouses & Distribution Centers and Healthcare

Learn more about building design and construction.

LEED v4 BD+C rating system PDF / LEED v4 BD+C scorecard / Reference guide overview

ID+C
Interior Design and Construction

For complete interior fit-out projects. Includes:

Commercial Interiors

ID+C also includes applications for Retail and Hospitality.

Learn more about interior design and construction.

LEED v4 ID+C rating system PDF / LEED v4 ID+C scorecard / Reference guide overview

O+M
Building Operations and Maintenance

For existing buildings that are undergoing improvement work or little to no construction. Includes:

Existing Buildings

O+M also includes applications for Schools, Retail, Hospitality, Data Centers, and Warehouses & Distribution Centers.

Learn more about operations and maintenance.

LEED v4 O+M rating system PDF / LEED v4 O+M scorecard / Reference guide overview

ND
Neighborhood Development

For new land development projects or redevelopment projects containing residential uses, nonresidential uses, or a mix. Projects can be at any stage of the development process, from conceptual planning to construction. Includes:

Plan and Built Project

Learn more about neighborhood development.

LEED v4 ND rating system PDF / LEED v4 ND scorecard / Reference guide overview

Homes

For single family homes, low-rise multi-family (one to three stories) or mid-rise multi-family (four or more). Includes:

Homes
Multifamily Lowrise
Multifamily Midrise

Homes and residential buildings that are greater than four stories may also use LEED BD+C. Learn more about LEED homes.

LEED v4 Homes rating system PDF / LEED v4 Homes scorecard / Reference guide overview

Cities and Communities

For entire cities and sub-sections of a city. LEED for Cities projects can measure and manage their city’s water consumption, energy use, waste, transportation and human experience. Learn more about LEED for Cities.

Existing Cities and Communities scorecard / New Places (Plan and Design Phase) scorecard / Guide to LEED Certification: Cities and Communities Pilot

LEED Recertification

LEED recertification is an important step in protecting your building asset. Recertification helps you maintain and improve your building while keeping your sustainability investment in place. Applies to all occupied and in-use projects that have previously achieved certification under LEED – including BD+C and ID+C, regardless of their initial rating system or version. Learn more about recertification.

Recertification guide

LEED Zero

Available for all LEED projects certified under the BD+C or O+M rating systems or registered to pursue LEED O+M certification. LEED Zero is for projects with net zero goals in carbon and/or resources. Learn more about LEED Zero.

Green building leadership is LEED

How LEED works

LEED system goals

A LEED for every project

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