Fortune 200 Companies Say LEED Positively Impacts ROI

Some 96 percent of Fortune 200 companies surveyed use the LEED green building program to support their sustainability efforts, according to a study by USGBC and Keybridge.

Of the respondents, which encompassed 48 of the Fortune 200 companies, 93 percent reported that demonstrating a commitment to the environment motivates their company to use LEED.

The survey, LEED and the Corporate Built Environment, showed:

• 82 percent of survey respondents are likely to continue using LEED over the next three years for new construction or retrofit projects.
• 60 percent of surveyed companies believe LEED positively impacts their return on investment (ROI).
• 70 percent stated they pursue LEED as a means to save money by being more energy efficient.
• 80 percent agree that LEED is a key way their company communicates sustainability efforts to stakeholders.

The survey, conducted between January and March, was targeted at executives in charge of building operations or corporate sustainability efforts. A majority of respondents were USGBC members.

Meanwhile, a Georgia bill that would effectively ban state-owned buildings from seeking LEED certification is waiting for the governor to sign it into law.