Thanks to the growing popularity of the sustainability movement, it’s easier than ever to balance environmental responsibility with the bottom line. Economy-conscious homeowners, image-conscious businesses, environmental activists and now the President of the United States of America are all jumping on the green building bandwagon.

The U.S. Green Building Council developed the LEED certification system to give construction professionals and their clients a clear, qualifiable way to adopt sustainable green building and development practices. From design concept to the site selection to the final installation details, LEED-certified buildings are required to meet several different sets of criteria.

All LEED-certified buildings:

• Lower operating costs and increase asset value
• Reduce waste sent to landfills
• Conserve energy and water
• Create a healthier and safer environment for occupants
• Reduce harmful greenhouse gas emissions
• Qualify for tax rebates, zoning allowances and other incentives
• Demonstrate the owner’s commitment to environmental stewardship and social responsibility

Any building project can potentially qualify for LEED certification on some level. The USGBC offers four levels of certification for new construction: Certified, Silver, Gold, and Platinum. Existing buildings can be retrofitted and receive credit for operations and maintenance.

Savvy consumers and building professionals are making use of the USGBC website to gain free, valuable information on:

• The certification process
• Documents
• Reference guides
• Lists of approved projects
• LEED-accredited professionals to aid in your projects
• Information on LEED training workshops and green building industry conferences

This is an exciting turning point in building history, so make your construction decisions easier by using GreenThinkerNetwork.com. Every building professional and supplier on GreenThinkerNetwork.com will work to LEED-certification standards.