Canada ranks 2nd in the world for LEED certified buildings in 2024

Ottawa, ON – The Canada Green Building Council (CAGBC) is celebrating Canada ranking second globally on the annual list of Top 10 Countries and Regions for LEED.

This Top 10 ranking is based on the total LEED-certified space between Jan. 1 and Dec. 31, 2024, and includes all projects outside the United States. Over the course of 2024, Canada certified a total of 438 LEED green building projects (110 of those single family), representing about ten million gross square meters (GSM) of space.

LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) is the most widely used green building rating system in the world and provides a framework for healthy, highly efficient, and cost-saving green buildings. It is developed by U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) and administered by CAGBC in Canada.

“Canada’s leadership in green building is demonstrated by the building industry’s continued commitment to certifying commercial, institutional and residential buildings to LEED,” says Thomas Mueller, President and CEO of CAGBC.” This level of activity solidifies our position as the second-largest market globally outside the US. Canada has a 25-year track record with LEED, and we foresee continued growth and transformation with the introduction of LEED v5 this year, strengthening Canada’s role as a global leader in green building innovation.”

Marnie Fletcher, CAGBC’s Director of Certification Services says, “In the last year, we have seen an increase in the amount and variety of projects seeking certification, reflecting the broad adoption across building owners and developers. From healthcare and hospitality to residential and industrial sectors, many new project types are using LEED certification to differentiate themselves in the market.”

2024 LEED certification highlights in Canada

In 2024, CAGBC saw growth and greater diversification in LEED project types, including:

• A major leap in LEED Building Design and Construction (BD+C) v4 Healthcare certifications, with 17 new certifications coast-to-coast, from the Langley Memorial Hospital Emergency Department Addition in British Columbia, to the Corner Brook Acute Care Hospital in Newfoundland. However, Québec led the way with an astounding 13 long-term care homes certified this year alone.
   
• A record-breaking 114 projects both certified or recertified to LEED v4/4.1 Operations and Maintenance (O+M).
   
• Canada’s first-ever LEED v4 BD+C: Hospitality certification, Alt Hotel, Calgary University District, achieved Gold in November.
   
• Forty multi-unit residential projects ranging from the massive One Burrard Place, to Cheko’nien House / Čeqʷəŋín ʔéʔləŋ student housing at the University of Victoria and covering both condos and rental housing.
   
• A wide range of other LEED BD+C projects, with 30 warehouse/industrial buildings, 14 community centres/assembly buildings, 25 schools, 10 university/college buildings, and 20 office buildings.
   
• The tenth LEED certification for Northern Canada, with the Iqaluit Aquatic Centre in Nunavut.