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Building certifications: global benchmark for sustainable performance 
6 min
In a rapidly changing construction sector where investors demand tangible evidence of performance and sustainability, certification provides a common language and a framework of trust to guarantee concrete results throughout a building's life cycle. Certification defines measurable criteria covering all aspects of a building: energy performance, water management, carbon footprint reduction, indoor air quality, thermal and acoustic comfort, material sustainability, climate resilience, and operating cost optimization.
With more than 372,000 residential and non-residential buildings certified worldwide in 2024, certification is experiencing remarkable growth (global increase of 28% between 2022 and 2024). Whether it is local certification adapted to national contexts (accounting for 45% of certifications) or international seals of approval, all contribute to certifying the quality and sustainability of buildings, thus giving them greater economic value and credibility with investors. Discover more about certifications and statistics worldwide between 2022 and 2024 with our interactive map1.
World
certified
*Cumulative number of certified projects
- Local labels45%
- LEED24%
- HQE19%
- BREEAM10%
- EDGE1%
- DGNB1%
- WELL1%
North America
+20% growth between 2022 and 2024certified
- LEED87%
- Local labels12%
- Other1%
In North America, LEED accounts for 87% of certifications. Created in 1998 by the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC), it is now a global benchmark, with nearly a quarter of buildings certified internationally.
certified
- Local labels68%
- BREEAM27%
- LEED2%
- DGNB2%
- Other1%
In Northern Europe, BREEAM accounts for 27% of certified buildings. Launched in 1990 in the UK by the Building Research Establishment (BRE), it assesses the sustainability of buildings according to criteria related to energy, water, and materials.
certified
- LEED59%
- Local labels29%
- WELL6%
- EDGE6%
India has consistently ranked among the world's top three countries for LEED certification adoption. More than 2,800 commercial projects in India are LEED certified, covering over 1.5 billion square feet. India is also a global leader in net-zero buildings, holding the world's largest number of LEED Zero certifications.
certified
- EDGE42%
- LEED30%
- HQE25%
- Local labels2%
- WELL2%
- Other1%
In Latin America, EDGE accounts for 42% of certifications. Created on the initiative of the International Finance Corporation (World Bank Group), it aims to encourage sustainable construction in emerging markets.
certified
- Local labels47%
- HQE44%
- BREEAM7%
- LEED2%
In Southern Europe and the Middle East, the HQE certification mainly applies and accounts for 44% of certifications in France. Created in France in 1996, it promotes a holistic vision of environmental quality through its four key commitments to quality of life, respect for the environment, economic performance, and responsible project management.
certified
- Local labels78%
- LEED13%
- EDGE5%
- BREEAM2%
- WELL2%
Local labels accounted for 78% of residential and non-residential building certifications in Asia Pacific in 2024. Australia's NABERS rating drove most of the increase, with certified hotels up 73% and residential aged care and retirement living up 150%. In Singapore, Green Mark adoption accelerated through policy support, financial incentives, and the target to green 80% of buildings by 2030.
1 Saint-Gobain study on the evolution of certified residential and non-residential buildings between 2022 and 2024.