The spatial diffusion of green building technologies: The case of Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) in the United States

The practice of green building aims to reduce negative impacts on the environment and human health and is therefore more sustainable than conventional construction methods. Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) is the leading green building standard in the United States and has been adopted by many federal, state and local governments, as well as private developers. This article utilizes data from the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC), the industry non-profit that governs the LEED standards, to explore the spatial diffusion of LEED projects in the United States.