Canada ranks 3rd in the world for LEED certified buildings in 2022
Green buildings are part of climate action and supporting healthy, resilient communities
Staff on February 7, 2023
- Rating System/Standard
- LEED
- Theme
- Green Building
OTTAWA, ON, (Feb. 7, 2022) – Today, the Canada Green Building Council (CAGBC) announced that Canada ranked third globally on the annual list of Top 10 Countries and Regions for LEED in 2022. This global LEED ranking is released annually by the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC). The ranking highlights countries and regions outside the United States that are making significant strides in healthy, sustainable and resilient building design, construction and operations. In 2022, Canada certified 248 projects, representing more than 5.3 million gross square meters (GSM) of LEED 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.
“Over the last 20 years, CAGBC, its members and stakeholders have proven that green buildings have positive impacts on people, business and the planet. They also drive the innovation and skills development needed for a strong economy,” said Thomas Mueller, President and CEO, CAGBC. “LEED certification continues to be the gold standard for green building, offering Canada’s building sector a holistic way to deliver on sustainability targets, from energy efficiency and wellbeing, to resource use, carbon emissions and resiliency.”
Mainland China topped the list with more than 16 million GSM certified to LEED in 2022 and India raked second with more than 10 million GSM. Brazil and Sweden rounded out the top five. These countries represent the ever-growing international demand for certified LEED green buildings that help reduce environmental impact and support health and well-being. The list ranks countries in terms of total LEED projects as of December 31, 2022. The U.S. is not included in the list but remains the world’s largest market for LEED with more than 47 million GSM certified space in 2022.
The full ranking is as follows:
| Rank | Country | Project Count | Certified Square Feet | Certified Square Meters |
| 1 | Mainland China | 1,121 | 180,347,421.08 | 16,754,839.89 |
| 2 | India | 323 | 112,717,100.08 | 10,471,771.39 |
| 3 | Canada | 248 | 57,499,943.21 | 5,341,924.69 |
| 4 | Brazil | 108 | 25,863,895.93 | 2,402,836.88 |
| 5 | Sweden | 152 | 24,419,164.67 | 2,268,616.83 |
| 6 | Republic of Korea | 83 | 23,563,512.84 | 2,189,124.09 |
| 7 | Mexico | 92 | 18,427,638.40 | 1,711,985.28 |
| 8 | Spain | 99 | 16,851,697.75 | 1,565,575.47 |
| 9 | Italy | 96 | 14,469,150.48 | 1,344,229.37 |
| 10 | Philippines | 24 | 11,456,313.70 | 1,064,327.40 |
About CAGBC
The Canada Green Building Council (CAGBC) supports and champions green buildings in Canada. CAGBC services and products help the building sector construct and operate buildings that are better for people, business and the planet. By working collaboratively with our members, industry, and government stakeholders, we are building our way forward to a sustainable and low-carbon future. Learn more at cagbc.org
For media enquiries, contact media@cagbc.org