LEED Earth

Honoring a decade of global green building leadership

Guided by USGBC’s mission to bring the benefits of green buildings to all, the now-retired LEED Earth program helped broaden LEED’s global footprint by encouraging “first” LEED projects in new countries through a refund of LEED review fees, including:

• The first LEED-certified project (any system, version, or level) in an eligible country 
• The first LEED Platinum project under LEED v4 or v4.1 in an eligible country 
• The first LEED for Residential v4.1 project in an eligible country
• The first LEED for Cities and Communities v4.1 project in an eligible country

As LEED adoption has expanded and the environmental and economic value of green building has become widely understood, the need for financial incentive programs has naturally decreased. Reflecting that global progress, the LEED Earth program was retired in March 2026. The program no longer accepts applications.

USGBC extends gratitude to the project teams whose leadership helped bring LEED to new regions. Their efforts laid the foundation for continued progress and innovation in the green building movement.

If you believe your project represents a first-of-its-kind achievement in your country, please reach out upon certification to confirm that status so it can be recognized in your promotion. USGBC continues to recognize and celebrate exceptional milestones and to share stories that highlight global leadership in sustainability.

Together, we continue building a world where every building is sustainable, and every community thrives.