New York, Illinois, Massachusetts Lead 2023 Top 10 States For Green Building

For the first time ever, New York has earned the top spot on the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) annual list of Top 10 States for LEED.

For the first time ever, New York has earned the top spot on the U.S. Green Building Council’s (USGBC) annual list of Top 10 States for LEED. New York earned its number-one ranking based on LEED-certified gross square footage per capita over the past year, which lead the country in green building. New York totaled 201 newly LEED-certified projects in 2023 that encompassed more than 93 million square feet, equating to nearly 4.6 LEED-certified square feet per resident.

Green Building
The Pocantico / Rockefeller Creative Arts Center in Tarrytown is just one example of New York’s green building efforts. Click the photo to read more about this facility. (Source: FX Collaborative Architects / USGBC)

 

Following New York was Illinois (3.213 square feet per capita), Massachusetts (3.210 square feet per capita), Washington (3.01 square feet per capita), and Georgia (2.56 square feet per capita). Though not officially on the list because of its status as a federal district, the District of Columbia continued to lead nationally with more than 43 certified square feet per capita.

Green Building
(Source: USGBC)

“The LEED certification system is a vital tool for both organizations and governments seeking to create better living, working and learning spaces while addressing the urgent challenges of climate change, health and affordability,” said Peter Templeton, USGBC president and CEO. “The top 10 report highlights the remarkable progress of the public and private sectors towards reducing greenhouse gas emissions, health impacts, and operating costs in buildings across their states. USGBC applauds the Top 10 states for their leadership in adopting the readily available technologies and proven green building solutions needed to advance healthy, responsible, and equitable communities in every state.”

2023: A Record-Setting Year For Green Building

Green Building
(Source: USGBC)

USGBC offers LEED and other industry-shaping resources to aide reducing greenhouse gas emissions in new and existing buildings.

As the world saw alarming climate impacts, including record-setting temperatures and storms of increasing intensity, a new record was set in 2023 for adding the most LEED-certified gross square footage (GSF) of green building space in a single year. In total, there were more than 6,000 LEED-certified commercial projects worldwide, representing 1.36 billion gross square feet.

Green Building Delta Electronics’ California HQ Earns New LEED Certification

Delta Electronics Americas HQ is the first LEED Zero Energy-Certified Green Building in Fremont, California. Read more…

In 2023, USGBC introduced a draft of its LEED v5 for Operations and Maintenance (O+M) rating system for existing buildings. LEED v5 is the newest version of LEED and marks a transformative milestone in the built environment’s alignment with a low-carbon future and addresses critical imperatives such as equity, health, ecosystems and resilience.

To underscore these imperatives, USGBC released an embodied carbon report with RMI (founded as Rocky Mountain Institute) and published a State of Decarbonization report alongside global sustainable development firm Arup. The State of Decarbonization report outlines key market drivers for LEED and other climate solutions.

Additional information on the 2023 rankings, along with a listing of notable green building projects across the U.S., can be found on the Top 10 States for LEED page.

Click here to read more about renewable energy and sustainability issues related to corporate real estate and site selection.

Daily News, District Of Columbia, Economic Development, Featured, Georgia, Illinois, Industries, Massachusetts, New York, Site Selection Factors, Surveys, Research & Forecast Analysis, Sustainability, Sustainability, USA - Far West, USA - Great Lakes, USA - Mid Atlantic, USA - New England, USA - Southeast, Washington

Corporate Real Estate (CRE), georgia, green building, illinois, LEED Certification, massachusetts, New York (NY), ranking, sustainable, Sustainable Communities, U.S. Green Building Council, USGBC, washington, Washington DC

Sponsored Content

Webinars, Podcasts & Videos

Minnesota is home to the #1 health care cluster in the world according to Medical Alley. In this short video we take a look at why.

Doing Business in Minnesota, a Mayo Clinic Business Development and Destination Medical Center Perspective

Hear from leaders at the Destination Medical Center and Mayo Clinic Business Development in Rochester about why they feel Minnesota is filled with opportunities for founders and why investors should consider the power of startups in Minnesota.

Innovation Tower is leading the evolution of the office environment to attract, inspire and retain top talent... San Antonio, Texas.

Innovation Tower: Where America’s Future Rises – San Antonio, Texas

Innovation Tower is leading the evolution of the office environment to attract, inspire and retain top talent.

Progress Labs at Center 85 in Frederick, Maryland is a five-building approximately 700,000 square foot development. Available for sale or lease. Permit ready.

Property Spotlight: Progress Labs at Center 85 – Frederick, Maryland

Progress Labs at Center 85 in Frederick, Maryland is a five-building approximately 700,000 square foot development. Available for sale or lease, and a Build-to-Suit Opportunity. Permit ready.

Share to...