U.S. Green Building Council Releases Retail Specific LEED Rating System

The Retail Industry Leaders Association (RILA) announced that the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) has released a new retail specific rating system for LEED building certification. The LEED for Retail rating system was developed with the support of nearly 100 pilot participants, including RILA members' Delhaize America, Best Buy, Target, Staples and REI. The program will enable retailers to better integrate sustainability into their real estate footprint.

"Retail industry leaders recognize the powerful financial and environmental impact to be had through their sustainability activities," said Adam Siegel, vice president of sustainability & retail operations for RILA. "The increasing emphasis on building LEED is emblematic of the industry's expanding and ever-evolving sustainability efforts."

"Our new retail rating system builds on the long established LEED for New Construction and LEED for Commercial Interiors rating systems, with adjustments and modifications made to accommodate the distinct needs of retail space. Key considerations include occupancy, waste streams, energy consumption and water use," said Scot Horst, senior vice president of LEED.

As natural resources grow more precious and environmental concerns become more immediate, many retail organizations are working to ensure their actions are part of the solution that consumers and governments are demanding.

Building to LEED criteria, with its very rigorous standards and requirements for precise documentation, enables retailers to tangibly quantify the results of their efforts. Third party inspection verifies building performance across relevant metrics and adds credibility to green building achievements.

Retailers are among the most proficient industries in building to LEED standards. In fact, more than 650 retail projects have already achieved LEED certification. Perhaps more importantly, more than 4,000 additional retail projects have been registered and are working towards LEED certification.

"We're thrilled with the USGBC's announcement of the new LEED for Retail program," said Lisa R. Miller, vice president of corporate development (North) & corporate responsibility (US) for Delhaize America, which operates seven banners in the U.S., including Hannaford and Food Lion. "Hannaford's development of the world's first Platinum LEED supermarket in Augusta, Maine, was a great learning experience and really helped to energize our company to think about how we build and operate stores in a completely new way."