India remains third in the US Green Building Council's (USGBC) annual list of the top 10 countries and regions for LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) certifications in 2024. Around 370 projects spanning buildings and spaces were certified in India, covering an impressive 8.5 million gross square metres (91.5 million sq ft) of space. China topped the list, with over 25 million GSM certified, followed by Canada at 10 million GSM. The USGBC's annual ranking highlights the increasing adoption of sustainable, healthy, and resilient building practices across the globe outside of the United States.
This year marks the 25th anniversary of the USGBC's LEED rating system, which has set the global standard for promoting sustainable and efficient buildings since its inception in 2000. As the globe's most widely used green building program, LEED has significantly empowered the construction sector to work towards decarbonisation. Additionally, the USGBC is preparing to release LEED v5 later this year, reflecting feedback from the global community.
India has consistently ranked among the top three countries for LEED certifications, supporting its commitment to the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) for 2030. The ranking highlights India's proactive approach to combat climate change, promoting environmentally friendly building practices, and advancing green development initiatives. India's LEED certifications are managed by Green Business Certification Inc. (GBCI), accelerating the adoption of green buildings nationwide.
Gopalakrishnan Padmanabhan, Managing Director of Southeast Asia & Middle East, GBCI, said, "India's remarkable achievement of 370 LEED-certified projects in 2024 highlights the country's steadfast commitment to sustainable development and climate action. With 8.50 million GSM of green-certified space, India is addressing the growing need for sustainable urban infrastructure and making significant strides towards achieving the United Nations' SDGs for 2030. As the nation continues to expand its urban footprint, adopting green building practices will be central to improving community well-being and mitigating climate change. India's ongoing push for net-zero emissions by 2070 further solidifies its leadership in the global movement for a sustainable future."
The 2024 LEED rankings are produced using LEED-certified Gross Square Meters (GSM) data as of the year. While the United States is not on the list, it remains the world's largest LEED market, with more than 56 million GSM certified by 2024. Here's an entire list of the top ten countries,
In 2024, China led with 25,691,198 square meters (276,537,490 square feet) across 1,860 projects. Canada secured the second position with 10,070,936 square meters (108,402,545 square feet) in 300 projects. India ranked third, achieving 8,506,012 square meters (91,557,865 square feet) across 370 projects. South Korea followed in fourth place with 3,248,350 square meters (34,964,910 square feet) in 70 projects, while the United Arab Emirates ranked fifth with 3,226,489 square meters (34,729,600 square feet) and 130 projects. Mexico, Hong Kong, Italy, Brazil, and Turkey rounded out the top ten, with respective totals of 2,269,920 square meters (24,433,189 square feet) in 104 projects, 2,182,073 square meters (23,487,615 square feet) in 66 projects, 2,135,799 square meters (22,989,531 square feet) in 174 projects, 2,088,100 square meters (22,476,099 square feet) in 125 projects, and 2,066,096 square meters (22,239,248 square feet) in 71 projects.
India witnessed a significant rise in LEED-certified projects across multiple sectors in 2024. The category of Operations and Maintenance (O+M) led the way, with 153 projects, followed by Interior Design and Construction (IDC) with 102 projects and Building Design and Construction (BDC) with 61 projects. Notable achievements in the O+M category included 57 locations from retail giant Dmart.
Regarding sector growth, Grade A office spaces were the most significant sector by registrations, with 455 projects covering 185 million square feet of space. Other sectors also saw substantial growth, including retail (80 projects, 23 million square feet), industrial manufacturing (71 projects, 12 million square feet), residential (33 projects, 10 million square feet), and lodging (22 projects, 7 million square feet).
In 2024, developers and corporate leaders are increasingly interested in adopting LEED EBOM for sustainability performance tracking and internal reporting. India added 345 new LEED professionals and 12 LEED Fellows to its growing pool of green building expertise.
India's real estate market is increasingly adopting sustainable practices, with LEED certifications expanding beyond commercial spaces to include industrial, residential, and educational sectors. This shift highlights the country's commitment to net-zero targets and sustainable growth, reinforcing India's leadership in green building practices and inspiring other nations to prioritise sustainability.
