What is the international standard for certifying environmentally sound buildings known as?

The correct answer is LEED, which stands for Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design. LEED is an internationally recognized green building certification system that provides a framework for healthy, highly efficient, and cost-saving green buildings. This standard helps architects, builders, and property owners assess the environmental impact of their construction practices and overall building performance.

LEED certification is based on a point system that evaluates various factors such as site development, water savings, energy efficiency, materials selection, and indoor environmental quality. Buildings that meet certain criteria can achieve various levels of certification, such as Certified, Silver, Gold, or Platinum, reflecting their commitment to sustainability and environmental responsibility.

While BREEAM and SGBC also pertain to green building standards, BREEAM (Building Research Establishment Environmental Assessment Method) is primarily used in the UK, and SGBC (Singapore Green Building Council) focuses specifically on Singapore's green building initiatives. ISO 14001, on the other hand, is a standard related to environmental management systems and is not exclusively focused on buildings. Therefore, LEED stands out as the most recognized international certification for environmentally sound buildings.