LEED is an internationally recognized certification system that measures how well a building or community performs across all the metrics that matter most: energy savings, water efficiency, CO₂ emissions reduction, improved indoor environmental quality, and stewardship of resources and sensitivity to their impacts.

Developed by the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC), LEED provides building owners and operators a concise framework for identifying and implementing practical and measurable green building design, construction, operations, and maintenance solutions.

LEED is flexible enough to apply to all building types – commercial as well as residential. It works throughout the building's life cycle – design and construction, operations and maintenance, tenant fit out, and significant retrofit. It is based on a point system detailing the standards to be followed to achieve various levels of certification.  Additionally, LEED for Neighborhood Development extends the benefits of LEED beyond the building footprint into the neighborhood it serves.