ARLINGTON, Va. — The U.S. Green Building Council has released a new retail-specific rating system for LEED building certification, the Retail Industry Leaders Association here announced today. The LEED for Retail rating system was developed with the support of nearly 100 pilot participants, including RILA members' Delhaize America, Best Buy, Target, Staples and REI. The program will enable retailers to better integrate sustainability into their real estate footprint.
"Our new retail rating system builds on the long established LEED for New Construction and LEED for Commercial Interiors rating systems, with adjustments and modifications made to accommodate the distinct needs of retail space," said Scot Horst, senior vice president of LEED, in a statement. "Key considerations include occupancy, waste streams, energy consumption and water use."
"We're thrilled with the USGBC's announcement of the new LEED for Retail program," said Lisa R. Miller, vice president of corporate development (North) & corporate responsibility (US) for Delhaize America, which operates seven banners in the U.S., including Hannaford and Food Lion. "Hannaford's development of the world's first Platinum LEED supermarket in Augusta, Maine, was a great learning experience and really helped to energize our company to think about how we build and operate stores in a completely new way."
"Retail industry leaders recognize the powerful financial and environmental impact to be had through their sustainability activities," added Adam Siegel, vice president of sustainability & retail operations for RILA. "The increasing emphasis on building LEED is emblematic of the industry's expanding and ever-evolving sustainability efforts."
More than 650 retail projects have already achieved LEED certification, and more than 4,000 additional retail projects have been registered and are working towards LEED certification.
The LEED for Retail rating system was voted on and approved by 92% of the USGBC membership in March 2010. USGBC recently created LEED for Retail Reference Guides and a LEED Online documentation tool. See www.usgbc.org/leed/retail.
