- What is LEED Zero certification and what are its benefits?
- How many LEED Zero projects are registered and certified under LEED?
- What resources are available for LEED Zero?
What is LEED Zero certification and what are its benefits?
LEED provides a framework for healthy, efficient, and cost-saving green buildings.
Building on that work, USGBC developed the LEED Zero certification program, a complement to LEED that verifies the achievement of net zero goals and signals market leadership in green building. LEED Zero represents a new level of achievement in green building that is not just attainable but is the goal of LEED certified projects around the world.
- LEED Zero Carbon recognizes buildings operating with net zero carbon emissions over the course of the past year.
- LEED Zero Energy recognizes buildings that achieve a source energy use balance of zero for the past year.
- LEED Zero Water Certification recognizes buildings that achieve a potable water use balance of zero for the past year.
- LEED Zero Waste Certification recognizes buildings that achieve GBCI’s TRUE Zero Waste certification at the Platinum level.
How many LEED Zero projects are registered and certified under LEED?
As of September 2025, over 700 projects are registered and certified under various categories of LEED Zero:
- Zero Carbon: 180
- Zero Energy: 273
- Zero Water: 181
- Zero Waste: 67
What resources are available for LEED Zero?
Program guide and slide deck
Articles
- An education in zero waste: LEED- and TRUE-certified schools are making the grade
- Building a net zero world
- Companies are making strides in net zero goals through LEED and TRUE certifications
- LEED On: The future is net zero
- LEED Zero helps organizations remain committed to net zero goals
- LEED Zero projects help create a regenerative future
- Understanding the future of net zero carbon in India
Educational courses
- Achieving Net Zero: Mastering LEED Zero Carbon Principles
- An Introduction to LEED Zero: Getting to LEED Zero Energy and LEED Zero Carbon
- Blending Wellness with Zero - Inspiring People in Environmentally Invisible Buildings
- Build Beyond Zero: New Ideas for Carbon-Smart Architecture
- LEED Zero: Lessons Learned from 5 Case Studies + Roadmap for Achieving LEED Zero Certification
- LEED Zero: Taking LEED Certified Buildings to the Next Level
- Navigating the Zero Energy and Carbon Landscape
- Practical solutions for Net Zero in LEED
Project profiles and case studies
- Boston University's Center for Computing and Data Sciences goes all in on zero emissions
- Colgate-Palmolive facility in New Jersey achieves LEED Zero Waste
- LEED Zero Water projects design for the future
- Scoring goals with zero waste: First soccer stadium certifies with TRUE
- The first 10 LEED Zero projects
- Unilever Hefei leverages LEED Zero to make manufacturing sustainable
- LEED Zero Projects directory