Successful real estate owners and managers typically leverage one or many nationally recognized sustainability programs for market differentiation, improving the financial performance of their properties, and for engaging investors, tenants, and other stakeholders. While not exhaustive, the list below compares the most prevalent sustainability programs in the United States.
With over 40,000 buildings certified across the world, LEED continues to maintain dominance in the market and is globally recognized as the standard for green building certifications. However, various alternatives to LEED certification are gaining momentum, including the IREM Certified Sustainable Property program and WELL certification. No-cost government funded programs, including EPA's ENERGY STAR Partner program and DOE's Better Buildings Challenge, provide other opportunities for market recognition and to demonstrate that your organization is a leader in sustainability.