LEED: the international mark of excellence

LEED®, or Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design, is the most widely-used green building rating system in the world, available for virtually all building, community, and home-project types.

In Canada and around the world, LEED is a proven and holistic path to addressing climate change, and to creating buildings that are more resource-efficient, healthy and resilient. Continuous improvement is a hallmark of LEED, as it constantly improves ahead of evolving government policy.

Why LEED?

Buildings generate nearly 30 per cent of all greenhouse gases, 35 per cent of landfill waste comes from construction and demolition activities, and up to 70 per cent of municipal water is consumed in and around buildings. It’s clear that buildings can have a substantial impact on Canada’s environmental goals.

Since 2005 LEED Canada has led to:

Energy savings
Energy savings of 20.7 million eMWh which is enough to power 700,000 homes in Canada for a full year.

Water savings
Water savings totalling over 37 billion litres, enough to fill almost 15,000 Olympic swimming pools.

Recycling
Recycling over 3.82 million tonnes of construction/ demolition waste, which is enough to fill the entire Roger’s Centre in Toronto 15 times.

GHG reduction
A 4.04 million CO₂e tonne reduction in greenhouse gas emissions which equates to taking 860,000 cars off the roads for a year.

Green roofs
390,000 sq. metres of green roofs, enough to cover 257 hockey arenas..

LEED can significantly impact new or existing buildings

LEED works because it recognizes that sustainability should be at the heart of all buildings – in their design, construction and operation. Since 2004, LEED has certified over 4,350 buildings in Canada and registered over 8,500 – giving Canada the second highest number of LEED projects anywhere in the world.

Since its introduction, LEED has helped tens of thousands of owners and developers create high-performing, resilient buildings that reduce carbon emissions, save water, conserve energy and reduce waste. LEED also improves quality of life by delivering buildings that offer occupants the optimal conditions for health, comfort and productivity.

Rating Systems

LEED^® v4

LEED^® Canada

LEED^® for owners
and property managers

LEED^® for tenants
and employees

LEED^® for
homeowners

LEED^® for home
builders

LEED Canada Steering Committee

LEED Canada Steering Committee is the senior committee providing policy, technical, and market oversight of the LEED program in Canada. Here is our current complement of LEED Canada Steering Committee members.