LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) standards provide parameters for sustainable buildings, developed in the United States but now applied by 40 countries around the world.
LEED standards cover the entire building process (from the design to construction and occupation) and all parts of the building. LEED methods are based on a holistic vision of sustainability, and therefore use all possible ways to reduce the impact the building can have on its environment, even including emissions during the construction phase. “Best practices” have therefore been established for engineers, architects, the building trades and the entire construction community. These best practices also serve as effective guidelines for future certification by third parties.
GBC Italy has been assigned the task of developing a LEED system specific to Italy, on the basis of the guidelines shared by the international LEED community. The new LEED Italy system will come into effect in April 2010 and will take into consideration Italy’s specific climate, building characteristics and construction standards.
The new LEED Italy system will be based on the award of credits for each building sustainability requirement. The level of overall certification will then be determined by summing the credits awarded.
There are six classes of criteria, comprising the mandatory requirements and environmental performance factors that define a building’s final rating:
•      Sustainable construction site
•      Efficient water management
•      Energy and atmosphere
•      Materials and resources
•      Quality of internal spaces
•      Design and innovation

The sum total of the credits obtained in each of these six classes establishes the level of certification achieved, and rates a building’s performance in terms of environmental sustainability. LEED certification can be awarded in the following levels:
-       Basic
-       Silver
-       Gold
-       Platinum