855773667-LEED-v5-O-M-Reference-Guide-Launch-Edition-1 - Page 013
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BENEFITS OF USING LEED
LEED is designed to address environmental challenges while responding to the needs of a competitive market. LEED-certified buildings are designed to deliver many benefits. Examples include:
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Lower operating costs and increased asset value
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Reduced waste sent to landfills
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Energy and water conservation
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Conserved and restored habitat for improved ecosystem function and biodiversity
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Increased market transparency and expanded access to industry leading green products and materials
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More healthful and productive environments for occupants
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Reductions in greenhouse gas emissions
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Qualification for tax rebates, zoning allowances, and other incentives in many cities
By participating in LEED, owners, operators, designers, and builders make a meaningful contribution to the green building industry. By documenting and tracking buildings’ resource use, they contribute to a growing body of knowledge that will advance research in this rapidly evolving field. This will allow future projects to build on the successes of today’s designs and bring innovations to the market.
GBCI independently verifies sustainability performance against LEED, ensuring the integrity of outcomes and strengthening market confidence in sustainability investment and innovation.
LEED CERTIFICATION PROCESS
A LEED project begins when the scope is determined, the appropriate rating system is selected, alignment with the Minimum Program Requirements is confirmed, and the project is registered on the Arc platform. The project is designed to meet the requirements for all prerequisites and for the credits the team has chosen to pursue, in coordination with their sustainability goals. The required documentation is compiled and submitted to GBCI for review. Feedback is provided from GBCI on the received documentation, offering the opportunity for project teams to make any needed design and construction changes or take additional steps to improve an existing project’s performance and/or provide additional clarification needed for GBCI to determine compliance. Additional rounds of review follow, as needed and allowed, to earn certification of the project. For a more in-depth understanding of the certification process, see the Guides to Certification.
U.S. Green Building Council LEED v5 Reference Guide for Operations and Maintenance, April 2025 Launch Edition 3