In April 1993, Rick Fedrizzi, David Gottfried and Mike Italiano convened representatives from 60 firms and several nonprofits in the American Institute of Architects’ boardroom for the founding meeting. It was then that ideas were shared for an open and balanced coalition spanning the entire building industry and for a green building rating system, which would later become LEED.

At USGBC we’re committed to transforming buildings, because we believe that every person deserves a better, more sustainable life.

USGBC created LEED to measure and define what green building meant, and to provide a roadmap for developing sustainable buildings. With LEED, we established a baseline—a universally agreed upon holistic system for reducing environmental impact.

Mission and vision

We’re committed to transforming how our buildings are designed, constructed and operated through LEED, because we believe that every person deserves a better, more sustainable life.

Our vision is that buildings and communities will regenerate and sustain the health and vitality of all life within a generation. Our mission is to transform the way buildings and communities are designed, built and operated, enabling an environmentally and socially responsible, healthy, and prosperous environment that improves the quality of life.

Today people know that if they are in a LEED-certified building they are using less energy and water, avoiding waste, saving on maintenance costs, improving indoor air quality, offering comfort to their occupants, and creating less environmental burden on their community. They also know that they are in a building that enhances health and wellness. Now green building has grown into a trillion-dollar industry, and LEED has become the most widely used green building program in the world.