How does LEED certification affect the construction process ?
Introduced in North America in the early 2000s, Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) certification is an instrument for assessing buildings’ environmental impacts. Applicable to both new build and renovation projects, as well as to buildings in use, this certification system is gaining ground internationally. Widely used in the United States, it is increasingly adopted in China, Italy, Spain and Portugal. In France, however, its application remains relatively limited.
The adoption of international certificates in France
In France, Italy, Spain and Portugal, the adoption of the US-based LEED certificate follows the global drive to reduce both buildings’ environmental footprint and their energy costs. Companies are increasingly turning to internationally recognised certificates to showcase their sustainability efforts and meet investors and tenants’ growing expectations in terms of environmental performance.
LEED certification can be observed in the French green building sector in a number of fields:
- Retail and data centres, for which LEED is very popular
- Large office buildings, particularly in Paris and other large cities, where the market is focused on three major certificates (LEED, HQE and BREEAM)
- Some international investors that have a global policy for building certification and want to maintain a single quality standard regardless of the country
LEED is likely to continue to grow in the years ahead, based on increasingly stringent environmental performance standards and innovative construction techniques.
LEED certificates apply to new buildings, renovation projects and buildings in operation, as well as to specific parts of a building – such as the structural works or the interior design. It can also be used to assess the environmental performance of an entire neighbourhood or community.
How GSE’s Green Buildings team secures a LEED certificate

How do I earn points towards the LEED certificate?
To obtain a LEED certificate, it’s required to accumulate points by meeting a number of sustainability criteria defined by the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC). Prerequisites must be met (>40 points plus a 5% margin), though today’s market tends to expect the Gold or Platinum levels.
LEED’s assessment criteria fall into six categories: site development, water management, energy performance, use and management of materials and resources, indoor environmental quality and innovation.
Site development
When choosing a location, it’s essential to minimise the project’s impact on the ecosystem and natural resources, manage rainwater harvesting, combat heat islands and minimise light pollution.
Water management
In terms of water management efficiency, it’s necessary to reduce water use through specific equipment, landscape the grounds in innovative & sustainable ways, and account for & measure performance, for instance by detecting water leaks. LEED is particularly demanding when it comes to water management.
Energy performance
Regarding energy, the certificate requires optimising performance, producing renewable energy using solar panels, wind turbines or geothermal power, and measuring performance to apply corrective measures thanks to building management systems (BMS). The complexity of LEED certification lies in the fact that the energy requirements are based on the American ASHRAE standard. It is not widely used by French engineering firms & contractors and requires a specific calculation, in addition to the metrics demanded by French regulations (RE 2020, RT 2012).
Materials and resources use & management
In terms of materials and resources, LEED expects to re-use materials from the site or from the circular economy. For example, re-using a container to make a bike shelter can earn points. It is also important to sort & recycle waste and to deal effectively with construction and demolition waste.
Indoor environment
Buildings need to address an occupant’s health, comfort and wellbeing. In this category, points are awarded for the following criteria :
- Compliance with minimal ambient air quality standards
- Thermal comfort
- Plan to improve indoor air quality
GSE specialists can help clients choose and regulate ventilation systems, reduce the sources of pollutants emitted by materials and furniture, and even raise teams’ awareness on the worksite.
What is the real cost of LEED certification?
Obtaining your LEED certificate involves a variety of costs that depend on several factors, including the size of the project, its complexity and the level of LEED certification you are aiming for.
According to the USGBC, the cost of certifying a building with LEED amounts to about 2% of the total construction cost. Breaking it down according to the level of certification, we get the following indicative percentages :
- 0.7% for LEED Certified
- 1.9% for LEED Silver
- 2.2% for LEED Gold
- 6.8% for LEED Platinum
Here are some of the costs associated with LEED certification :
Registration fees :
The Green Building Certification Institute (GBCI) charges a registration fee for each LEED project. These fees vary according to the rating chosen and the size of the project. For example, for a LEED BD+C (Building Design + Construction) project, the cost of certification is around €18,000. This includes:
- the registration fee: €1,180
- pre-certification costs: €3,960
- the cost of USGBC certification (review of the design & build dossier, which depends on the project’s surface area): ~€13,000
Certification fees :
Once registered, certification fees are applied, based on the size of the project and the level sought. This fee covers the cost of reviewing all the documentation required to prove that the project meets the prerequisites and LEED credits it is seeking.
Cost of environmental surveys:
To ensure that the right decisions are made and certification targets are met, a number of environmental surveys are required. GSE has a team dedicated to projects’ certification and environmental management, which calls on the skills of external partners accredited by the USGBC for LEED certification. The cost of the surveys varies according to the project, the level of certification sought and the complexity of the innovations to be included.
Construction costs :
Costs can arise when implementing sustainability measures and purchasing materials. For example, investing in innovative materials or an ultra-efficient heat pump system, or the use of geothermal energy, can involve additional expenditure. It is difficult to quantify these costs because they are very specific to each project and ultimately the decision of the Client.
Additional cost or long-term value?
In France, the average cost of LEED certification is around €6,000 to €7,500 for a 10,000 m² project. On average, LEED-certificated projects cost about 2% more to build than conventional buildings. However, when considering the initial additional investment, one should remember that the LEED certification process leads to the right decisions being made for a more sustainable and valuable building:
- Less energy and resources used
- Greater comfort for occupants
It’s the green value as a whole that needs to be assessed.
The extra construction cost can be recovered within a few years through energy savings, increased building value and other operational savings over the life of the building.
It should be noted that these costs are estimates and may fluctuate depending on location, inflation and the cost of associated materials and services.
Tips to minimise costs
- Early planning: Prepare the project from the outset with consideration for LEED requirements and the level to be achieved.
- Location: Choose sites such as brownfields, areas rich in biodiversity or plan for demolition work: this enables you to adopt the right approach from the outset and earn points without additional work.
- Registration fees and OPEX: Allocate certification costs to a different budget than construction.
Although the initial cost can be significant, it is important to consider the long-term value that LEED certification can bring. This includes reduced operational costs, higher rental and resale value, marketing benefits, potential tax incentives, etc. Certification also demonstrates a commitment to environmental stewardship and corporate social responsibility, enhancing the brand image of the building and its owners.
Our expertise in sustainable construction: a LEED Gold-certified project
Transmec extended its logistics centre in Campogalliano, near Bologna, bringing it to a total floor area of 49,556 m². The extension, built by GSE, includes two warehouses, 1,923 m² of offices, 54 loading bays and 735 parking spaces. The project had a strong sustainability agenda and achieved LEED Gold certification thanks to significant investments in eco-responsible technologies and sustainable practices such as :
- a LED-based lighting system
- extensive green spaces
- 29 charging points for electric vehicles
- 246 public parking spaces available to the community and a service area for drivers

For more information on the project, click here.
HQE, LEED and BREEAM certificates share a common objective: to promote the environmental transition in the commercial property sector. They strive to reduce buildings’ environmental impacts while ensuring the comfort and wellbeing of occupants. Thanks to their rigorous criteria and high standards, these certificates play a vital role in the sustainable transformation of our working and living spaces, while meeting the growing expectations of investors, tenants and users in terms of sustainable development and social responsibility.
Source: *zeroconsulting.com