Madrid, 21 May 2024 – The latest “LEED in Spain 2023” report reveals that Spain remains at the forefront of sustainable building certification, standing out as the European leader in LEED-certified buildings for the fifth consecutive year. This achievement underscores the commitment of the Spanish built environment industry to sustainable construction and the use of highly efficient technologies.

Key Data from the Report:

• Leadership in Europe and Ibero-America: Spain ranks first in Europe, second in Ibero-America, and sixth worldwide in LEED-certified buildings.
• Sustained Growth: As of 31 December 2023, Spain has 1,396 buildings registered in the LEED programme, of which 807 have achieved certification, reflecting a success rate of 57.81%.
• Distribution of Certifications: Among the 807 certified buildings, 160 are Platinum, 509 Gold, 108 Silver, and 30 Certified.
• Private Sector Drive: LEED certification in Spain is largely driven by private initiatives, with national companies and organisations leading the sustainability effort.
• Diversity of Building Types: Office buildings are the most common among certified structures (519), followed by industrial (123), commercial (69), and hospitality (28).
• Focus on Madrid: The Spanish capital stands out with the highest number of registered and certified buildings (709 and 433, respectively), followed by Barcelona and Bilbao.
• Increase in Business Participation: Over 528 Spanish companies and organisations own registered or certified buildings, an increase of 10% compared to the previous year.

Global Trends and Challenges:

• The report also analyses global trends, showing that the USA saw a significant increase in LEED certifications (+5,531), while the rest of the world experienced moderate growth (+1,688). However, certifications outside the USA remain predominantly within large companies and highly professionalised firms.
• Factors such as geopolitical tensions in Ukraine and Israel, pressures from China on Taiwan and the South China Sea, and the collapse of the Chinese real estate sector are affecting urban development and LEED certifications. Despite these challenges, Spain has seen slight growth in LEED registrations and certifications.

A Call to Action: This report highlights the need to continue promoting sustainable construction practices and to increase the penetration of sustainability certification systems globally. Spain continues to be a prominent example of how private initiatives can lead the way towards a more efficient and sustainable future.

For more details and to explore how your organisation can contribute to sustainability in construction, please find the complete report attached.