Turkey Ranks Ninth on Top 10 Countries for LEED Green Building

-- Turkey quadruples its use of LEED, is a world leader in green building and sustainable design

WASHINGTON, July 22, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- Today, the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) announced that Turkey ranked ninth on USGBC's annual ranking of the Top 10 Countries for LEED, the world's most widely used and recognized green building rating system. The Top 10 list highlights countries outside of the U.S. that are making significant strides in sustainable building design, construction and transformation, illustrating the ever-growing international demand for LEED green buildings. The announcement comes at a time of increased international focus on climate change mitigation in the lead up to the United Nations' COP21 climate negotiations this December. 

This is the first time that Turkey has made the Top 10 Countries for LEED list, and Turkey was able to make this year's list on the strength of the 258 percent increase in the amount of year over year GSM of LEED-certified space in the country from 2013 to 2014. Measured in terms of newly certified GSM, the amount of space that achieved LEED certification in 2014 was greater than what the country accomplished in 2011, 2012 and 2013 combined, and this surge in green building activity appears to be a sign that Turkish leaders are focused on increasing energy efficiency in response to the pronounced spike in national energy demand. Maintaining this form of commitment to transforming Turkey's national built environment holds enormous potential for the country's long term economic and environmental future since 42 percent of Turkey's net electricity consumption comes from the country's building sector.

"Turkey is transforming itself into a hub of innovation for green building and sustainable design," said Rick Fedrizzi, CEO and founding chair, USGBC. "Green buildings are about people and the collective legacy that we leave behind. Turkey's emergence as a major center for the green building movement is a sign that the Turkish community believes that we can do better for ourselves and our environment, and that we can leave a better legacy for our children."

The 10 countries that made the list for 2015 are geographically and culturally diverse, representing seven of the world's 20 largest single-nation economies by gross domestic product (GDP) (China, Germany, Brazil, India, Canada, South Korea and Turkey), as well as six of the top 11 emitters of greenhouse gases (China, India, Germany, South Korea, Canada and Brazil).

The analysis used to develop the list ranks countries in terms of gross square meters (GSM) and numbers of LEED projects to date. LEED-certified spaces use less energy and water resources, save money for families, businesses and taxpayers, reduce carbon emissions and create a healthier environment for residents, workers and the larger community. The United States, the birthplace of LEED, is not included in this list but remains the world's largest market for LEED. The U.S. is the world's largest economy by GDP as well as the world's second largest emitter of greenhouse gases.

Every day, nearly 172,000 GSM of space is certified using LEED, and there are currently more than 69,800 commercial and institutional projects representing 1.23 billion GSM of space participating in the green building rating system. An additional 76,500 residential units have been certified under LEED for Homes. LEED projects can now be found in more than 150 countries and territories across the world.

The full ranking is as follows:

LEED's international popularity is reflective of the exponential growth occurring within the global green building industry. Increasing consumer demand has pushed the world's green building market to $260 billion in 2013, and this industry surge has led to a corresponding increase in the scope and size of the green building materials market, which is expected to reach $234 billion by 2019. Internationally renowned landmarks as diverse as the Empire State Building, the Maracana Stadium and TAIPEI 101 are now LEED-certified spaces that illustrate the impact that sustainable construction and design are having on our shared culture.

At a time when the international community is looking to the UN's negotiations in Paris as a historically significant chance to come up with real, binding solutions to climate change, the global popularity of LEED is a sign that a 'green economic miracle' is well within reach. LEED's success demonstrates that there are proven, internationally credible solutions to some of the complex questions surrounding climate change mitigation that can help stimulate economic growth while also avoiding harmful economic disruptions. With buildings accounting for up to 30 percent of global emissions, a commitment to the rapid transformation of the global built environment seems to be one solution that the entire world can get behind.

A sample of notable projects that certified in the Turkey in 2014 include:

• Antakya: Palladium Antakya Shopping Mall, LEED Gold
• Istanbul: Ronesans Tower, LEED Platinum
• Konya: Konya Science Center, LEED Gold
• Istanbul (Maslak): Spine Tower, LEED Gold
• Istanbul: Torun Tower, LEED Gold

Support for LEED is growing across Turkey where there are currently 21 USGBC member organizations from the architecture, construction, manufacturing and retail industries, as well as firms engaged in other professional services. There are currently 119 LEED-credentialed professionals based in Turkey, a number that is likely to increase in the coming years based on the country's 354 LEED-registered projects representing over 20 million GSM of space.

About the U.S. Green Building Council

The U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) is committed to a prosperous and sustainable future through cost-efficient and energy-saving green buildings. USGBC works toward its mission of market transformation through its LEED green building program, robust educational offerings, a nationwide network of chapters and affiliates, the annual Greenbuild International Conference & Expo, the Center for Green Schools and advocacy in support of public policy that encourages and enables green buildings and communities. For more information, visit usgbc.org, explore the Green Building Information Gateway (GBIG) and connect on Twitter, Facebook and LinkedIn.

* The United States is not officially named to this list, but it remains the world's largest market for green building.

Contact: Marisa Long
USGBC
202-552-1500
mlong@usgbc.org

Related Links

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