USGBC Names Top 10 Countries for LEED Outside U.S

May 7, 2014May 14, 2014 2195 Views CO, Eastern U.S., efficiency, Green Development, James T. Powers, Kirchhoff-Consigli Construction Management, Matheson, NYPgreen, NYU Langone Medical Center, Peter Krasnow FAIA, remote, Robert Grossman, Ronald O. Perelman Center for Emergency Services, Skanksa, Staffing, Steven Corwin

WASHINGTON — The U.S. Green Building Council recently released a ranking of the top 10 countries for LEED outside the U.S. The ranking, released last week, reflects the global adaptability of the world’s most widely used and recognized system guiding the design, construction, operations and maintenance of green buildings, according to the USGBC.

“The global community is increasingly recognizing the imperative for action as we combat the extraordinary challenge of worldwide climate change,” said Rick Fedrizzi, president, CEO and founding chair of USGBC, in a statement. “LEED’s success across a wide variety of cultures, climates and communities represents not only a growing recognition of its demonstrated benefits for human health and operational cost savings, but also its unparalleled potential to be part of the solution to a warming planet and rising sea levels.”

More than 140 countries and territories across the globe participate in the green building certification program. In total, more than 59,000 building projects are currently participating in LEED, which represents 967 million gross square meters (GSM) of construction space.

Each country was ranked based upon GSM of LEED-certified space, total GSM of LEED-certified and registered space, and the total number of LEED-certified and -registered projects. The rankings are based on LEED data as of April 2014.

1. Canada: With 17.74 GSM of LEED space, Canada took the top spot on the USGBC list. Notable projects identified by the USGBC include 100 Wellington Street West Tower at the Dominion Centre in Toronto, which was the first project in the city to achieve Platinum certification under LEED for Existing Buildings: Operations & Maintenance. There are a total of 4,068 LEED-certified and -registered projects in Canada.
2. China: China boasts 14.3 million GSM of LEED-certified space and 96.22 million GSM of LEED-certified and -registered space. The USBG noted the Haworth Showroom in the Parkview Green in Beijing, which received LEED Gold and became the first project to be certified under LEED v4.
3. India: One of the globe’s fastest growing economies, India took third place on the USGBC’s green building ranking. The country has certified or registered 1,657 projects and currently hosts 11.64 million GSM of LEED-certified space. The USGBC recognized the renovation of the ITC Maurya Hotel in New Delhi, which was awarded Platinum certification under LEED for Existing Buildings: Operations & Maintenance (EBOM).
4. South Korea: Coming in fourth, South Korea has certified 3.84 million GSM of LEED space. Samsung Green Tomorrow was the first project in East Asia to receive LEED Platinum.
5. Taiwan: With 2.98 million GSM of LEED-certified space, 6.97 million GSM of certified and registered LEED space and 114 certifies or registered projects, Taiwan was ranked fifth. The Taipei 101, one of the tallest buildings in the world, received LEED Platinum under LEED EBOM.
6. Germany: In sixth, Germany has received certified 2.9 million GSM of LEED space. The green building group recognized Frankfurt’s 63-story skyscraper MesseTurm, which received LEED Silver.
7. Brazil: Brazil was ranked seventh with a total of 829 LEED-certified projects and 23.24 million GSM on certified or registered space. The Castelao Arena, in Fortaleza, set a new record as the first 2014 World Cup stadium to earn LEED certification.
8. Singapore: The nation of Singapore has certified 2.16 million GSM of LEED-certified space. One such LEED project is the Asia Square Tower 1, a 43-story office building that received LEED Platinum certification.
9. United Arab Emirates: Though the United Arab Emirates has certified 1.8 million GSM of LEED space, it has registered more than 45 million GSM of LEED space. The USGBC noted the LEED Platinum Dubai Electricity and Water Authority Headquarters as an example of innovative green building.
10. Finland: Finishing out the top 10 list, Finland has certified a total of 148 LEED projects including the Sello shopping center, the first European shopping mall to receive LEED Gold.