The City of Philadelphia has achieved a LEED Platinum certification, the highest level under the LEED for Cities and Communities rating system, for implementing strategies and solutions to improve sustainability and quality of life for residents. LEED, or Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design, was created by the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) and is the world’s most widely used green building rating system. Philadelphia joins a growing network of more than 200 cities and communities worldwide to be LEED certified. 

LEED is designed to help buildings, communities and cities achieve high performance in social, economic and environmental sustainability. The LEED for Cities and Communities rating system helps local leaders measure and manage progress in community conditions, in pursuit of a more sustainable, resilient and equitable future. Through the certification program, cities and communities create and operationalize responsible, sustainable and specific plans for natural systems, energy, water, waste, transportation and other factors that contribute to quality of life. 

To achieve a Platinum certification, Philadelphia earned 92 out of 110 possible points for takings actions to improve sustainability and quality of life. These include:  

• City programs dedicated to improving flood resilience, including the Flood Risk Management Task Force and Eastwick: From Recovery to Resilience, and addressing extreme heat through initiatives including Beat the Heat Hunting Park.  
• City strategies to reduce environmental justice risk and vulnerability including the Environmental Justice Community Dialogue Series, Environmental Justice and Climate Resilience Committee, and Community Resilience and Environmental Justice Fund.  
• The Office of Transportation and Infrastructure Systems’ (OTIS) Transit Plan and coordinated efforts with SEPTA to plan, fund, and implement transit priority projects.  
• The Philadelphia Water Department’s Stormwater Regulations and coordinated stormwater management program.
• The Philadelphia Streetlight Improvement Project to provide energy-efficient streetlighting with a lighting management system throughout the city. 
• City programs and policies that promote the citywide transition to pollution-free, renewable energy sources, including Solarize Philly, Solar for All, and the City’s Adams Solar Power Purchase Agreement.  
• The City’s established goal to achieve carbon neutrality by 2050, with the City’s most recent greenhouse gas emissions inventory showing a 20% reduction in emissions from 2006-2019.   

This announcement comes ahead of the 2024 Greenbuild International Conference and Expo, presented in partnership with USGBC, taking place in Philadelphia from Nov. 12 – 15. Greenbuild is the world’s largest annual event for green building professionals and will celebrate Philadelphia and other LEED certified cities during the event.