The Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) and the LEED Green Building Rating System is the nationally accepted benchmark for the design, construction and operation of high performance green buildings. It represents the U.S. Green Building Council’s efforts to provide a national standard that aims to promote a whole-building approach to sustainability by recognizing performance in seven key areas including human and environmental health, sustainable sites, water efficiency, energy and atmosphere, materials and resources, indoor environmental quality, innovation in design and regional priority credits.