The World's First LEED Platinum City: Washington, D.C.

In 2011, Washington, D.C. adopted the Sustainable D.C. plan, establishing the capital as a leader in green building and sustainability planning. In 2017, the city is the first in the world to achieve a new mark of distinction for its accomplishments.

1 minute read

August 31, 2017, 2:00 PM PDT

By James Brasuell @CasualBrasuell


Washington, D.C.

Orhan Cam / Shutterstock

Mikaela Lefrak reports: "Washington, D.C. was named the first city in the world to receive a newly-established accreditation for environmental sustainability on Thursday."

"The LEED for Cities Platinum certification recognizes the District as a leader in reducing greenhouse gas emissions, innovating around clean energy and other environmental metrics," adds Lefrak.

Lefrak notes that Washington, D.C. has more LEED-certified projects per capita than any state in the union.

According to a press release from the U.S. Green Building Council announcing the District's recognition, "LEED for Cities was launched last year and enables cities to measure and communicate performance, focusing on outcomes from ongoing sustainability efforts across an array of metrics, including energy, water, waste, transportation, and human experience (which includes education, prosperity, equity and health & safety)." 

Thursday, August 31, 2017 in WAMU

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I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching. Mary G., Urban Planner

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