Rating green buildings

A number of green building rating programs and sustainable standards are playing a key role in the development and adoption of more sustainable buildings. The CoStar Inc., a Nasdaq-listed provider of information and marketing services to the commercial real estate industry, conducted a study in March,2008 on the growing demand for sustainable buildings. The study revealed that more property investors and tenants are demanding commercial space that has acquired Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) certification or Energy Star rating. These programs, including LEED, Green Globes, Energy Star represent approaches to adopting environmentally friendly measures in buildings. The green building rating programs provide guidance on environmentally responsible design or construction options.