First city to achieve Platinum level certification in LEED for Cities Version 4.1.
By Sam Catanzaro
The U.S. Green Building Council has named the City of Santa Monica a LEED Platinum City, the first city to achieve Platinum level certification in LEED for Cities Version 4.1.
Last week the City of Santa Monica announced its achievement. LEED was created by the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) and is the world’s most widely used green building rating system.
LEED for Cities evaluated the City of Santa Monica’s performance on energy, water, waste, transportation, education, health, safety, prosperity and equitability outcomes.
“For more than 25 years we have been using the power of community to enhance our resources, prevent harm to the natural environment and human health, and benefit the social and economic well-being of the community for the sake of current and future generations,” said Shannon Parry, the City’s Chief Sustainability Officer. “This recognition is an acknowledgement of those efforts and an invitation to celebrate our successes. It is also an opportunity to look forward and identify new places to lead and to make positive change with and for our community.”
According to the City, Santa Monica is the first city to achieve Platinum level certification in LEED for Cities Version 4.1 by achieving more than 80 points.
The City received high scores in the Energy and Greenhouse Gas Emissions category for reducing emissions 60 percent below 1990 levels. Santa Monica also received high points in Transportation and Land Use for its transportation programs, residents’ access to transit and the overall distribution of public amenities.i also received the full 10 points available in the Innovation, Regional Priorities and Quality of Life categories.
“The City of Santa Monica’s LEED certification demonstrates tremendous sustainability and climate leadership,” said Peter Templeton, President and CEO, USGBC. “LEED for Cities was created to help improve our living standard and ensure every citizen has access to healthy, green and high performing places and spaces. Cities and communities that achieve LEED certification develop responsible, sustainable, and specific plans for green energy, water, waste, transportation, and many other factors that contribute to quality of life, such as equity, education, resilience, infrastructure and more. Santa Monica is a prime example of how innovative planning and collaboration can help achieve sustainability and resilience goals.”
Santa Monica is the 21st local government to certify in LEED for Cities Version 4.1 and is part of a growing group of more than 250 cities and communities to engage in USGBC’s LEED for Cities and Communities program.
In addition to LEED for Cities Platinum certification, the City of Santa Monica was also recently recognized as an ‘A-List’ City by CDP as one of 95 cities across the globe that is taking bold leadership on environmental action and transparency.
