Gainesville chosen to participate in 2024 LEED for Cities program
Published on May 02, 2024
The U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) has selected the City of Gainesville as one of 12 city governments nationwide to participate in its 2024 LEED for Cities Local Government Leadership Program.
The program helps local governments, in their pursuit of earning LEED certification, set goals, collect data and validate performance against sustainability and quality of life metrics using the LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) for Cities rating system.
“Embracing sustainability is not just about enhancing our surroundings, it's about setting a standard for the future,” said Gainesville Chief Climate Officer Dr. Dan Zhu. “As we join the LEED for Cities Leadership Program, we are not merely aiming for certification but for a transformation that embeds resilience and quality of life into the very core of our community,” she said.
LEED certification helps local governments attract new economic activity, reach global climate goals, improve air and water quality and enhance quality of life for all.
“Local governments are leading the way in finding solutions to address the climate crisis, and LEED for Cities helps local leaders accelerate progress that improves the health of people and our planet,” said Peter Templeton, USGBC president and CEO. “The 12 local governments selected to participate in this year’s cohort are committed to accountability and will use LEED as a tool to ensure they are on a path of continuous improvement,” he said.
LEED for Cities and Communities is a key component of regional climate action plans. Program participants evaluate access to green spaces, public health indicators, climate action and resilience, and environmental justice.
In addition to Gainesville, the 2024 cohort includes four Florida cities – Boca Raton, Coral Springs, Jacksonville and St. Petersburg – as well as Carrollton, TX; El Paso, TX; Gary, IN; La Crosse, WI; New Orleans, LA; Overland Park, KS; and Philadelphia, PA.
The USGBC is the leading authority on green building and the global developer of the LEED green building program. More than 100 local governments have validated processes on sustainability, resilience and equity goals since its inception.
Creating a sustainable community by addressing climate change, reducing Gainesville’s carbon footprint, and designing new developments based on sustainability concepts are key elements of the City’s strategic plan.
Additional information is available online.