16 Cities and Counties Accelerate Sustainability Efforts Through National Initiative

Key Takeaways

16 U.S. local governments to join the 2025 LEED for Cities Certification Cohort.
Participants represent over 14 million residents and aim to improve sustainability metrics.
LEED for Cities program has aided nearly 120 governments in achieving certification since 2017.

U.S. Green Building Council Announces New Cohort

The U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) has revealed that 16 local governments will participate in the 2025 LEED for Cities Certification Cohort. This initiative helps cities establish sustainability goals, gather necessary data, and validate their performance based on the LEED for Cities rating system.

Peter Templeton, president and CEO of USGBC, emphasized the essential role of city governments in promoting public health, environmental sustainability, and economic growth.

As a part of USGBC’s Local Government Leadership Program, the LEED for Cities cohort offers a structured framework for members to monitor performance, pinpoint areas for improvement, and adopt best practices. Templeton noted that this approach delivers both immediate benefits and long-term impacts.

The cities participating in the cohort include Ashland, Massachusetts; Aurora, Illinois; Brighton, Colorado; Cook County, Illinois; Delray Beach, Florida; Farmers Branch, Texas; Harris County, Texas; King County, Washington; Lafayette, Indiana; Lincoln, Nebraska; Mercer Island, Washington; Milwaukee, Wisconsin; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania; Riverside, California; Sun Prairie, Wisconsin; and West Lafayette, Indiana. Collectively, these areas serve a population exceeding 14 million.

Traci McLean, the sustainability coordinator for Brighton, expressed enthusiasm for the cohort’s potential to enhance data tracking on energy usage, water conservation, and community wellbeing. She noted that being part of this program connects Brighton to a broader network of cities, enabling them to set clear sustainability goals and make informed decisions.

Since its inception in 2017, the LEED for Cities Cohort program has successfully assisted nearly 120 local governments in developing actionable plans and strengthening their capacities to attain LEED for Cities certification. The LEED for Cities system employs a triple bottom line methodology, allowing city officials to evaluate sustainability across various sectors. Key performance indicators include resilience planning, energy management, access to green spaces, public health initiatives, stormwater control, and green building policies. The certification process typically spans six to 18 months.

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