Benefits > Economic > LEED

The US Green Building Council has developed a voluntary certification program called the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (L.E.E.D.) Green Building Rating System. It is a nationally accepted benchmark for which architects, engineers, and contractors can design and build high performance green buildings.  Ultimately, execution of the LEED process can conserve resources, lower operating costs, create a healthier environment for its occupants, and qualify participants for tax right-offs - all while attempting to decrease our carbon footprint.

Every US Green Building Council project is unique and applicable L.E.E.D. credits vary in response to the project scope and certification that the building is trying to achieve.  Below is a synopsis of potential credits that vertical gardens can obtain:

Credit	Title	Credits Awarded
Sustainable Sites Credit 6.1	Stormwater Rate and Quantity	1
	Can potentially use green walls to manage stormwater runoff.
Sustainable Sites Credit 6.2	Stormwater Treatment	1
	Green walls have the potential to treat stormwater runoff, providing filtration, and eliminating contaminants.
Sustainable Sites Credit 7.1	Landscape Design that Reduces Urban Heat Islands, Non-Roof	1
	Exterior green walls can reduce the solar reflectance of a structure, thus reducing the urban heat island effect.
Water Efficiency Credit 1.1, 1.2	Water Efficient Landscaping	1-2
	Buildings can incorporate a stormwater collection system for irrigation of the green walls.
Water Efficiency Credit 2	Innovative Wastewater Technologies	1
	Green walls can aid in the reduction of wastewater and greywater by acting as a treatment media.
Energy and Atmosphere Credit 1	Optimize Energy Performance	1-10
	Green walls can provide additional insulation to a building, providing thermal regulation and reducing the building's need for mechanical cooling systems.
Innovation in Design Credits 1-4	Innovation in Design	1-4
	Green walls may contribute to innovative wastewater management or air purification/ventilation systems.

There is also interest in utilizing indoor green walls to gain Indoor Environmental Quality credits.  Green walls provide passive air filtration as the plants remove harmful contaminants from the air.  EcoWalls, LLC, is currently researching an active purification process that, in conjunction with the EcoWall, may be eligible for addition IEQ credits.  Currently, additional credits are also being investigated for the use of indoor plants in sustainable designs.