LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design)

LEED rests on a collection of special rating systems that apply to all kinds of structures, including schools, retail, and healthcare facilities. Rating systems are available for new construction and major renovations as well as existing buildings. The program is designed to inform and guide all kinds of professionals who work with structures to create or convert spaces to environmental sustainability, including architects, real estate professionals, facility managers, engineers, interior designers, landscape architects, construction managers, private sector executives, and government officials.

On its Web site, the USGBC says that LEED defines "a nationally accepted benchmark for the design, construction, and operation of high-performance green buildings" and "provides building owners and operators with the tools they need to have an immediate and measurable impact on their buildings' performance." According to the American Institute of Architects, the 69 LEED points that make up the program's specific design points and considerations can be reviewed in a two-hour meeting, during which time the design team and the owner can decide what level of LEED compliance is desirable for their building project.

State and local governments around the United States are adopting LEED for public buildings of all kinds, and LEED initiatives at the US Departments of Agriculture, Defense, Energy, and State drive activity at the federal level. In addition, various types of LEED projects are currently underway in over 40 other countries, including Canada, Brazil, India, and Mexico.

Read more about LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design): - There's more information about LEED on the USGBC Web site. - Matt Stansberry reports on saving energy in the green data center. - John Parkinson explains how 'Green data centers tackle LEED certification.'

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