The sustainable construction community is thriving across Latin America. Brazil, Mexico, Colombia and Chile lead the number of projects registered and certified with LEED in the region (according to the USGBC public directory due to December 31, 2023):
The number of LEED-certified projects in the Latin American market in the last decade highlights the transformation of the certification system and the behavior of the industry in general.
Since 2008, it can be seen that there was a sustained growth in the number of registered projects until 2016, when there was a significant increase associated with the change from version 3 to 4, the increase in the energy reference index and the increase in system rates.
During 2020 and 2021, there was a decrease in the number of registered projects associated with the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. In 2022 and 2023, the growth trend in the region reactivates.
Below are three model cases of LEED certification in the region.
El Dorado Airport is located in Bogotá, Colombia, and is the first air transport terminal in the world to obtain the LEED Zero Energy certification.
With an area of approximately 236 thousand m², this air terminal was built in 1956 and renovated in 2010.
Why is El Dorado Airport a leader in energy performance? Due to its good practices in the operation and maintenance of technical systems and the implementation of a solar panel system that allows the generation of renewable energy.
In addition, it has a system for capturing and reusing rainwater with which it supplies water to sanitary appliances. It also performs advanced waste management and has the latest technology equipment for air purification.
The offices of Perkins Eastman are located in Guayaquil, Ecuador, and have the LEED Gold certification.
With an area of 197 m², they are a benchmark for innovation, efficiency and optimization.
These offices focus on energy efficiency specific to Guayaquil's climate (tropical/humid), achieving energy savings of 17%. For this purpose, an efficient air conditioning system was implemented, a lighting system that incorporates motion sensors and natural light, and outdoor blinds were installed to mitigate heat and glare.
For water efficiency, water-efficient faucets and toilets were installed with Watersense certification, achieving 30% savings in water. In addition, materials with low volatile organic compounds were used.
The well-being of the occupants was prioritized by maximizing natural light and minimizing glare, allowing 80% of the office to have access to natural lighting.
Naranjo County is located in Guatemala, it has the LEED for Communities certification: Existing with the Platinum grade, and it is the first existing community in Latam to achieve this.
With an area of 2.92 km², it is composed of more than 25 residential projects, 1 nursing home, 2 schools, 250 shops, an office building and an industrial area.
In this community, 32% of residential projects generate renewable energy through 1800 solar panels, and it also has 715 solar heaters.
The county has wastewater treatment plants, as well as systems for monitoring drinking water consumption, which identify that the average consumption per capita is 25% less than the world average.
In addition, it has 6 km of bike paths and the equivalent of 27 m² of green areas per inhabitant.
They also have a waste management system, diverting 1.4 tons of waste per month and implementing points to classify them by type.
You can find more than 15 bus stations, as well as a diverse land master plan designed to reduce the need to move outside the community.
Source: Report “LEED Business Case in Latin America” v2, year 2024.
If you are interested in accessing the LEED certification contact us
EDGE certification is one of the fastest and most effective ways to create efficient buildings, reduce energy, water, and material consumption, and increase property resale value. Developed by the International Finance Corporation (IFC), part of the World Bank Group, EDGE helps real estate projects lower their environmental impact, reduce operating costs, and support decarbonization efforts. With a streamlined and measurable process, EDGE has become a strategic certification for developers and investors seeking sustainability, profitability, and market differentiation.
Sustainable certifications in Mexico are gaining prominence as a key tool for companies and projects that seek to demonstrate their environmental, social and governance commitment. They are no longer limited to construction alone, but encompass complete processes, operations, products and business models.
Discover how environmental certifications, energy efficiency and sustainable buildings increase the resale value of a property and reduce its environmental impact.
CDMX
Monterey
