Green Buildings - What is LEED?

Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design, or LEED, is an internationally recognized standard in building design, providing owners and operators with a framework to implement measurable green building design, construction, operations and maintenance solutions. LEED standards can apply to individual buildings, homes, neighborhoods and communities. 

LEED certification provides independent, third-party verification that a building, home or community was designed and built using strategies aimed at achieving high performance in key areas of human and environmental health:
- sustainable site development
- water savings
- energy efficiency
- materials selection
- indoor environmental quality

LEED was developed by the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) in 2000 and current LEED rating systems are developed through an open, consensus-based process led by LEED committees. The next update of the LEED rating system is expected in 2012. 

DuPage County is the proud home to many LEED-certified buildings, with the list growing each year.  The County recognizes these buildings for their commitment to green building design principles and environmental stewardship.  LEED buildings are also listed in the DuPage Green Grid, a GIS map featuring these green buildings along with other county-wide sustainable projects.  Inclusion in this directory is not an endorsement of any particular business and buildings are listed in alphabetical order by town.