Italy in the International Top 10
LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) certification is one of the most widely recognized international standards for the design, construction, and operation of sustainable buildings. Born in the United States at the initiative of the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC), over the years it has become a global benchmark for green building thanks to its ability to measure environmental impact and the quality of built environments.
A rating system based on levels of excellence
LEED certification is obtained through a points-based system that rewards buildings capable of reducing energy consumption, limiting emissions, and improving the comfort of occupants and users.
Depending on the number of points achieved, buildings can obtain different levels:
• LEED Certified (40–49 points): baseline level;
• LEED Silver (50–59 points): good environmental performance;
• LEED Gold (60–79 points): high performance;
• LEED Platinum (80+ points): excellence in sustainability.
Credits are awarded across several areas, including site sustainability, water management, energy efficiency, materials and resources, indoor environmental quality, and design innovation.
A growing trend: Italy among the leaders
In recent years the spread of LEED certification has seen steady growth, both globally and in Italy. The latest data show that Italy is the only country in Europe to rank in the global Top 10 for LEED-certified buildings.
In 2024 alone, 174 projects were certified in Italy, totaling over 2.1 million m². The environmental benefits are significant:
• over 330,000 tons of construction waste avoided,
• around 170,000 tons of CO₂ saved,
• more than 1.3 billion liters of drinking water preserved,
• an estimated economic value of €111 million.
NCA Engineering’s experience
For NCA Engineering, designing according to LEED principles means considering the building’s life cycle, minimizing environmental impact, increasing energy efficiency, and ensuring healthy, comfortable indoor environments. This approach has enabled us to support our clients on complex, successful projects, contributing to the growth of Italy’s sustainable building stock.
For NCA Engineering, designing according to LEED principles means considering the building’s life cycle, minimizing environmental impact, increasing energy efficiency, and ensuring healthy, comfortable indoor environments. This approach has enabled us to support our clients on complex, successful projects, contributing to the growth of Italy’s sustainable building stock.
The future: LEED v5
The LEED system is constantly evolving. In 2025, the new LEED v5 version is expected to update the evaluation criteria to make them even more aligned with global challenges related to climate change. This will represent a further step toward low-emission, resilient buildings capable of improving people’s quality of life.
For over 10 years, NCA Engineering has been supporting companies and institutions in obtaining LEED certification.: info@ncaeng.it
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