MNN - Mother Nature Network

The U.S. Green Building Council’s (USGBC) LEED certification program is the most popular green building certification program in the world. The program just reached a new jaw-dropping milestone; there are now more than 2 billion square feet of LEED Certified properties spread around the world.

 

In addition to topping the 2 billion mark, an additional 7 billion square feet are listed as LEED registered projects. Once certified that will bring the LEED Certified space to more than 9 billion square feet. That is a lot of green building space.

 

Let’s break down the numbers a bit:

 

 

Green building doesn’t just lead to healthier workspaces; it also helps support green jobs. Construction workers, architects and designers are just a few of the professions needed to construct a green office space.

 

"In communities around the globe, leaders from every sector of the building industry are reinventing their local landscapes with buildings that enliven and bolster the health of our environment, communities and local economies," said Rick Fedrizzi, President, CEO & Founding Chair, USGBC. "The journey to this milestone has energized our economy-funneling $554 billion annually into the U.S. economy alone-and has helped support 7.9 million jobs across the U.S." Source: USGBC

 

For more information about the green building program, visit the Introduction to LEED section of the USGBC website.

 

Photo: eng1ne/Flickr