Mainland China Ranks First on Annual List of Top 10 Countries and Regions for LEED

Mainland China Ranks First on Annual List of Top 10 Countries and Regions for LEED

LEED certification supports mainland China's sustainability and climate change efforts

SHANGHAI, Jan. 24, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Today, the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC), the creators of the LEED green building program, announced the annual Top 10 Countries and Regions for LEED. The list recognizes markets outside the U.S. that are using LEED to create healthier, more sustainable spaces where citizens live, learn, work and play. Mainland China is at the top of the list for the second year in a row with more than 1,211 LEED-certified projects totaling more than 47.16 million gross square meters of space.

"Around the world leaders are committing to climate change initiatives that have the power to improve quality of life for citizens and ensure a sustainable future for us all," said Mahesh Ramanujam, president and CEO, USGBC and Green Business Certification Inc. (GBCI), the global certifying body for LEED projects. "Progress happens one project at a time and we applaud these countries for their leadership and work to deliver better buildings and healthier spaces."

The list ranks countries and regions in terms of cumulative LEED-certified gross square meters as of December 31, 2017 and represents 6,657 certified projects totaling more than 158 million gross square meters. LEED, or Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design, is the world's most widely used green building program and provides a framework for buildings, communities and cities to create healthy, highly efficient and cost-saving spaces while working to improve quality of life.

"Mainland China's leadership in driving the adoption of green building practices will help shape a healthier and more sustainable future for the country," said Andy To, managing director, GBCI North Asia. "The ability to use tools like LEED to transform our built environment will extend beyond environmental benefits and has the power to positively impact human health."

GBCI China was incorporated in 2018 to help drive the adoption of LEED and green business practices across the region, improve access to educational resources and bring further technical expertise to the area. In addition, Greenbuild, the world's largest green building conference platform, will come to mainland China for the second time in 2018.

Ranking

Country/Region

Number of Projects

Gross Square Meters*

1

Mainland China

1,211

47.16

2

Canada

2,970

40.77

3

India

752

20.28

4

Brazil

461

14.83

5

Germany

276

7.00

6

Republic of Korea

106

6.66

7

Taiwan

124

6.15

8

Turkey

245

6.06

9

Mexico

305

5.16

10

United Arab Emirates

207

4.41

**

United States

30,669

385.65

*Gross square meters are reported in millions. Data is reported as of December 2017.
**The United States, where LEED originated, is not included on the list, but remains the world's largest market for LEED.

Mainland China is part of a growing number of nations and regions dedicated to a greener, more sustainable built environment. According to a newly published report from CBRE and USGBC (English and Chinese versions), as Chinese builders move in accordance with the nation's 13th Five Year Plan, green building space is expected to reach two billion square meters by 2020, up from current estimates of 600 million square meters of green building space spread across more than 300 cities.

About the U.S. Green Building Council
The U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) is committed to a prosperous and sustainable future through cost-efficient and energy-saving green buildings. USGBC works toward its mission of market transformation through its LEED green building program, robust educational offerings, a nationwide network of chapters and affiliates, the annual Greenbuild International Conference & Expo, the Center for Green Schools and advocacy in support of public policy that encourages and enables green buildings and communities. For more information, visit usgbc.org and connect on Weibo, WeChat, Facebook and LinkedIn.

CONTACT: Sarah Stanleys, stanley@usgbc.org

This website is best viewed using the latest versions of web browsers.