LEED Certification

According to the United States Green Building Council (USGBC), LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) is the most widely used green building rating system in the world. LEED provides a framework that project teams can apply to create healthy, highly efficient, and cost-saving green buildings. A LEED certified building can be newly constructed or renovated. To date there are approximately 65 convention centers and over 200 hotels in the U.S that have attained some level of LEED certification, and the list is growing.

What buildings can be LEED certified?

All spaces and buildings can be LEED certified. Some projects that can be LEED certified include but are not limited to:

• BD+C: Building Design and Construction

• ID+C: Interior Design and Construction

• O+M: Building Operations and Maintenance

• ND: Neighborhood Development

• Homes

• Cities and Communities

• LEED Recertification

• LEED Zero: projects with net zero goals

The Denver Zoo achieved LEED certification for it's Toyota Elephant Passage buildings. The Zoo converts animal waste and human trash into energy to fuel the buildings.

There are 4 LEED certification categories:

• Certified: 40-49 points eared

• Silver: 50-59 points earned

• Gold: 60-79 points earned

• Platinum: 80+ points earned

Buildings can earn points across several categories including:

• Location & Transportation

• Sustainable Sites

• Water Efficiency

• Energy & Atmosphere

• Materials & Resources

• Indoor Environment Quality

• Innovation

• & many more!

WHY DOES LEED MATTER?

It matters because it shows that a property or facility has made a serious commitment to the health of their patrons and of the environment. That is not to say that other buildings that are not LEED certified don't meet the requirements. Many building owners have yet to make the investment to get LEED certified. A LEED certification makes your job of picking a venue easier because the USGBC has already done all the hard work for you!