India ranks 2nd in green realty spaces globally, says US Green Building Council; over 7,500 LEED projects certified in 2025

India ranked second globally, outside the United States, in LEED-certified building space in 2025, according to a statement released by the US Green Building Council (USGBC) recently.The United States continues to lead worldwide in LEED adoption with over 50 million gross square meters of certified space. China topped the list outside the US with 26 million GSM, while India follows with 16 million GSM of certified space, asreported by PTI, citing USGBC. Vietnam made its debut in the top 10 rankings for the first time."India continues to be a large market for LEED projects, rising to second place in total LEED-certified space in 2025. The country saw more LEED O+M certification, outpacing new and interior construction projects and signalling a focus on ongoing performance," the USGBC statement said.There was significant growth in LEED certification globally last year, with more than 7,500 commercial projects certified, totaling over 147 million gross square meters. Building owners' interest in LEED certification for existing buildings, particularly in Operations and Maintenance (LEED O+M) has been increasing, with commitment to cost reduction through energy efficiency, as per the report.India's real estate sector is also experiencing rapid expansion, with LEED certification becoming popular beyond office spaces. New developments in industrial manufacturing, warehousing, hospitality, retail, and education sectors are increasingly adopting these green building standards.LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) is a rating system developed by USGBC that evaluates buildings' environmental performance and sustainable features. The rankings were announced by USGBC and Green Business Certification Inc. (GBCI) as part of their annual assessment of countries and regions outside the United States.