NEW YORK—You may be familiar with the label of LEED Design. There is much to know about its definition and what it specifies in terms of manufacturing facilities. But did you also know that LEED standards can impact the type of store and office design you can use or aspire to? LEED, or Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design, is the most widely used green building rating system in the world. And its website and services are one of the most robust resources for learning more about it all.

Available for virtually all building, community and home project types, LEED provides a framework to create healthy, highly efficient and cost-saving green buildings. LEED certification is a globally recognized symbol of sustainability achievement. Today, there are more than 105,000 LEED-certificate buildings in nearly 190 countries.

The USGBC, or the U.S. Green Building Council, is a robust resource for learning everything about what constitutes the latest standards and guidance. It offers newsletters, technical and qualitative studies about what “green” means in manufacturing, real estate, commercial and residential structures. USGBC is at the forefront of industry discussions and is actively advancing these priorities within the market.

Green building practices are more important than ever. Green buildings save money, improve efficiency, lower carbon emissions and create healthier places for people. They are critical to addressing climate change and meeting ESG goals, enhancing resilience, and supporting more equitable communities.