LEED

The global standard in green building

Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design or LEED® is an international symbol of sustainability excellence and green building leadership. LEED’s proven and holistic approach helps virtually all building types lower carbon emissions, conserve resources, and reduce operating costs by prioritizing sustainable practices. Canada is one of the top territories in the world for LEED certification.

Did You Know?

Buildings generate nearly 30% of all greenhouse gases, and 35% of landfill waste, while consuming up to 70% of municipal water.

Why LEED

LEED works because it recognizes that sustainability is key to the design, construction, and operation of all buildings. LEED helps owners and developers create high-performing, resilient buildings that reduce carbon emissions, save water, conserve energy and reduce waste. LEED also improves people’s quality of life by delivering the optimal conditions for health, comfort and productivity – such as better quality air and natural light.

LEED certification provides independent, third-party verification that a building project was designed and built, or operated, to achieve high performance in six areas of human and environmental health:

Location & Transportation

Sustainable Site Development

Water Savings

Energy Efficiency

Materials Selection

Indoor Environmental Quality

Learn about Regional Priority Credits

How LEED works

Projects pursuing LEED certification earn points for green building strategies across several categories. Based on the number of points achieved, a project earns one of four LEED rating levels: Certified, Silver, Gold or Platinum.

LEED certification involves a few steps. 

  1. Determine which LEED rating system you are eligible for. 
  2. Register your project at LEED Online and pay the registration fee to demonstrate your commitment.
  3. Prepare and submit your certification application for review by CAGBC along with a certification fee. 
  4. After a detailed review, projects receive the decision. Successful candidates are certified. 

Register your LEED project now.

Find the LEED that’s right for you

LEED is for all building types and all building phases including new construction, interior fit outs, operations and maintenance and core and shell. 

Building Design and Construction (BD+C)

For new construction or major renovations, including Core & Shell projects.

Interior Design and Construction (ID+C)

For complete interior fit-out projects.

Operations and Maintenance (O+M)

For existing buildings that are not undertaking a major renovation.

Recertification

For projects that have previously achieved certification under LEED — including BD+C and ID+C.

Homes

For single family homes, low-rise multi-family (1 to 3 storeys ) or mid-rise multi-family (4 to 6 storeys).

Cities and Communities

For entire or sub-sections of a city, to measure and manage water consumption, energy use, waste, transportation and human experience.

Neighborhood Development (ND)

For new land development or redevelopment projects for residential, non residential or mixed usages.

CAGBC’s role in LEED

LEED leans on the green building community to continuously improve and stay ahead of evolving government policy. CAGBC represents Canada in LEED’s international development process, and supports the market with certification, verificationeducation and training. CAGBC members play a vital role in this work, supporting Canada’s LEED Steering Committee and Technical Advisory Groups.

6.8

MILLION TONNES
less GHG emissions

35.2

MILLION
eMWh of energy saved

60

BILLION LITRES of water saved

3.85

MILLION TONNES of waste diverted

LATEST CASE STUDIES

Vancouver Convention Centre – West

Maintains double LEED Platinum certification Nestled in the heart of Downtown Vancouver, the…
September 16, 2022

110 Yonge Street – Perkins and Will

110 Yonge Street: Perkins and Will designs for sustainability, inclusivity, health and well-being…
September 3, 2020

King Street Elementary School

King Street Elementary Atlantic Canada’s first LEED v4 certified project New Brunswick has…
January 10, 2020

Prairie Architects Inc.

In 2017, Prairie Architects Inc. moved its offices into a main floor commercial condominium on…
April 17, 2019

Learn how to market your LEED project.

TECHNICAL RESOURCES

Treatment of Incomplete Space in BD+C

Many building projects have some incomplete space when they submit for certification. There…
February 9, 2023

2023 Reviewer Insight Video Series

Throughout 2023, CAGBC LEED Reviewers are offering short videos with technical insights into…
January 11, 2023

Confirmation of Primary Owner’s Authority

The project owner is the person or entity who holds and controls the…
July 20, 2022

Change of Owner Agreement

Complete the Change of Owner Agreement Form to transfer the owner’s rights, title…
July 20, 2022

LATEST NEWS

Should a warehouse project use LEED v4 WDC or CS?

Industrial real estate continues to be a strong area of growth and interest…
March 11, 2024

Lead up to LEED v5: Timeline Update

2024 is a critical year of development for LEED v5 and CAGBC is…
February 22, 2024

Changing of the Guard on CAGBC’s Technical Advisory Groups

CAGBC has long relied on amazing volunteers to support our rating system development…
February 2, 2024

When can multiple buildings pursue LEED certification together?

When a project consists of more than one building sharing a common site…
January 26, 2024

Learn how LEED addresses COVID-19 concerns.