WASHINGTON, Feb. 13, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- The U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) announced today a new report finding that China is the fourth largest market in the world using LEED for Retail. The report details the extensive involvement of the retail industry with LEED and the impact of the globally recognized green building rating system on retail development and the consumer experience.
The report is a part of USGBC's popular LEED in Motion series designed to equip readers with the insight and knowledge to understand LEED and to make the case for sustainable building practices worldwide. Last year, USGBC released LEED in Motion: Greater China.
"All of us are consumers," said Rick Fedrizzi, CEO and founding chair, USGBC. "LEED enables retailers to make sustainable business decisions and empowers consumers to make choices they feel good about. LEED is used by big and small retailers alike, from end-to-end across the global economy. The LEED in Motion: Retail report demonstrates the power of green building to impact consumer experience and, ultimately, the bottom lines of retailers across sectors."
Highlights of the LEED in Motion: Retail report include:
The LEED in Motion report outlines the many ways LEED certification delivers a superior consumer experience, including the benefits of circulating fresh air, setting a consistently comfortable temperature and utilizing daylight wherever possible. Additionally, the report shows that 100 percent of those retailers participating in LEED reduced the pollution and land development impact of their buildings by meeting LEED's sustainable site standard.
The report also includes a foreword from Starbucks, which achieved a milestone in 2014 as it opened its 500th LEED-certified store. Profiles of Target, with 143 LEED-certified stores, and Kohl's, with 434 LEED-certified stores are also included.
"Achieving the milestone of 500 LEED certified stores is an important moment for Starbucks as it is a reflection of our ongoing commitment to reduce our impact on the environment," said Jim Hanna, director of environmental impact, Starbucks. "More importantly though, it represents the possibility for green retail and the value of working together to achieve solutions at scale. We are proud of our collaboration with the U.S. Green Building Council, the role LEED plays in our business and the possibility it holds as we continue to identify new and innovative ways to raise the bar in green building."
In 2007, USGBC launched a pilot program to specifically address the needs of retailers. Subsequently, the LEED for Retail rating system was formally established in 2010. Some of the prominent adopters of LEED for Retail include Bank of America, Starbucks, Target, Wells Fargo, Walgreens, Nike and Yum! Brands. Additionally, many retailers utilize LEED volume certification, which saves participants time and money as they develop multiple properties with similar attributes – a great fit for big box and chain retailers.
The LEED in Motion: Retail report is currently available to download for free on the USGBC website: http://issuu.com/usgbc/docs/lim_report_5_retail_final_chs
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, explore the Green Building Information Gateway (GBIG) and connect on Twitter, Facebook and LinkedIn.
About LEED
The U.S. Green Building Council's LEED green building certification system is the foremost program for the design, construction, maintenance and operations of green buildings. Every day, more than 1.85 million square feet of space is certified using LEED. More than 68,600 commercial and institutional projects are currently participating in LEED, comprising 12.4 billion square feet of construction space in over 150 countries and territories. In addition, more than 71,400 residential units have been certified under the LEED for Homes rating system. Learn more at usgbc.org/LEED.
CONTACT: Marisa Long, Communications Director, USGBC, +1-202-552-1500, mlong@usgbc.org
