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Extracted Content

PREFACE

THE CASE FOR GREEN BUILDING

Green buildings are an integral part of the solution to the environmental challenges facing the planet. The impetus behind the development of the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) rating systems was the recognition that the design, construction, and building management industry has the expertise, tools, and technology to transform buildings and make significant advances toward a sustainable planet. LEED projects throughout the world have demonstrated the benefits of taking a green design and operations approach that reduces the environmental harm of buildings and restores the balance of natural systems.

Buildings have a major role to play in sustainability through their construction, the lifetime of their operation, and patterns of development.

What we build today, how we build it, and where we build it are profoundly important.

ABOUT LEED

LEED is a concise framework for identifying and implementing practical and measurable green building, design, construction, operations, and maintenance strategies and solutions. It is a voluntary, market-driven, consensus-based tool that serves as a guideline and assessment mechanism. LEED does not certify, endorse, or promote any products, services, or companies.

Within the appropriate rating system, projects that meet the prerequisites and earn enough credits to achieve the certification threshold have demonstrated performance that spans the goals in an integrated way. Certification is awarded at four levels: LEED Certified, LEED Silver, LEED Gold, and LEED Platinum. These levels incentivize higher achievement and, in turn, faster progress toward the goals.

NOTE: LEED does not certify, endorse, or promote any products, services, or companies.

HISTORY OF LEED

USGBC developed LEED for New Construction v1.0 in 1998 for the commercial building industry.

Since its launch, LEED has evolved to address new markets and building types, advances in practice and technology, and a greater understanding of the environmental and human health

U.S. Green Building Council LEED v5 Reference Guide for Interior Design and Construction, April 2025 Launch Edition 1