Architects and building designers can now stamp their projects with a green building "seal of approval" available through the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design building rating system (known as LEEDTM). This voluntary, consensus-based rating system for commercial buildings was developed by the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC). It evaluates environmental performance from a "whole building" perspective over a building's life cycle, providing a definitive standard for what constitutes a "green building," and promotes market incentives to build "green."

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