Nearly half of all certifications in the eight-year history of the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) program occured in 2009, one of the toughest economic years in memory, according to new U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) data.

Of the 4,328 LEED-certified projects in existence, about 2,090 -- more than 48% -- achieved certification in 2009. 

In its quest to learn the reasons behind this increase and the future direction of the LEED program, GBI interviewed USGBC Communications Associate Marie Coleman. Here is what she had to say:

GBI: How does the number of LEED certifications in 2009 compare with the number in previous years?

Coleman: Here is a list of LEED annual progression since its inception in 2000 (see table below). The 2009 numbers are through Dec. 5, 2009:

GBI: About how many certifications are expected in 2010?

Coleman: While it's impossible to know how many projects will certify in 2010, we can feel confident that LEED will experience continued growth. Forty-eight percent of all commercial LEED certifications were certified in 2009. That is a highly impressive statistic, especially given the state of the economy going in to 2009.

GBI: Roughly how many certifications is USGBC equipped to handle?

Coleman: Because of our mission of green buildings for all within a generation, it would be detrimental to put a cap on how many certifications can be completed. Generally, beginning from registration, a project can achieve its certification within a year.

GBI: What potential bottlenecks does your organization see in this growth? For example, are there enough consultants around to handle the work?

Coleman: As LEED continues to grow and expand, so will the accompanying technologies. USGBC is unique because LEED certifications, registrations, and credentialing each year, for the past 10 years, has grown greatly, allowing the opportunity to anticipate and plan accordingly. Are there enough consultants around to handle the work? With over 135,000 LEED-credentialed professionals and growing every day, LEED and green building represents a tremendous opportunity for job growth. As green building continues to expand, so do job opportunities and professionals obtaining LEED credentialing. In fact, according to a new study from USGBC and Booz Allen Hamilton, green building will support 7.9 million U.S. jobs and pump $554 billion into the American economy, including $396 billion in wages, over the next four years (2009-2013). The study also determined that green construction spending currently supports more than two million American jobs and generates more than $100 billion in gross domestic product and wages.

GBI: Who performs on-site verifications for these certifications?

Coleman: Depending on the project, a reviewer can perform an on-site verification. However, all LEED projects must undergo a very rigorous documentation process that begins at project registration (the first step). All projects must provide highly detailed documentation, showing that each credit for has met the rating system requirements.

GBI: To what does USGBC attribute the explosive growth in these certifications?

Coleman: In 2007, public awareness about the green movement, specifically with green building and LEED, grew exponentially. However, early pioneers were state and local governments, who began to offer incentives like waived fees and tax codes that made it easier and more lucrative for private projects to achieve LEED. But in recent years, the economy can be cited as one of the biggest reasons for achieving LEED. LEED saves energy, water, and natural resources, but moreover, it will save money on the building throughout its life cycle. By using less, you spend less, making the financial benefits chief among the explosive growth LEED has experienced in recent years.

GBI: What trends have you been seeing in LEED certifications? For example, is there a trend toward achieving LEED Platinum status?

Coleman: As new technologies and products come out that are geared towards environmental and energy efficiency, projects pick up on these trends. Things like dual flush toilets and waterless urinals are growing in popularity and are among the easiest ways to achieve points in the water-efficiency category for water reduction. Additionally, green roofs are also growing in popularity because space on the roof can be rented out to tenants, or building owners may choose to wholly own this space to reduce heat island effect, a huge energy waster. With specific regards to the rating systems, each one is experiencing growth; however, in recent months, LEED for Core and Shell has been growing in registrations, which is a great option for developers of speculatively developed projects. LEED for Core and Shell projects deal with the mechanics, engineering, electrical, and plumbing of a building, making it a highly flexible option for developers who otherwise have very limited control over the building.