Global Momentum Surges for LEED + WELL Streamlined Certification Process, Reaching Nearly 250 Million Square Feet of Project Space

Total project space using the LEED+WELL pathway has tripled in less than two years 

Announced at IWBI’s Climate + Health Summit in Tokyo, the milestone reflects rising global demand for the streamlined process designed to advance both planetary health and human health 

TOKYO and NEW YORK June 16, 2025 /3BL/ - The International WELL Building Institute (IWBI), the global authority for advancing healthy buildings, organizations and communities, today announced rapid uptake of the streamlined pathway for projects that pursue both LEED and WELL certification. In less than two years, total project space using the pathway has more than tripled—from 80 million to nearly 250 million square feet—while the number of projects has more than doubled, growing from 300 to over 750 across 47 countries. In addition, more than 100 projects, spanning 15 million square feet, have already achieved LEED and WELL certification using the pathway. The accelerated growth reflects a strong rise in global demand for the streamlined certification process.

In April 2023, IWBI and the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) deepened their strategic partnership by releasing a streamlined process for projects to pursue certifications for the LEED green building rating system and the WELL Building Standard. The process streamlines documentation for projects that are pursuing both certifications at the same time or that have already earned one certification and are looking to add the other.

“It’s exciting to see the continued global adoption of the LEED + WELL pathway, signaling strong momentum in the market,” said Rachel Hodgdon, President and CEO, IWBI. “The growing demand to pursue the world’s leading standards for green buildings and healthy buildings together reflects a deepening recognition that human health and planetary health are inextricably linked. By using WELL and LEED together, market leaders are embracing a future-forward approach to prioritize people and planet."

The news was announced at the WELL 2025 Climate and Health Summit in Tokyo, Japan, an IWBI flagship event, hosted in partnership with the U.S. Green Building Council and Green Building Japan, highlighting solutions for advancing human health and planetary well-being.

“Better alignment between rating systems is critical to enabling building owners and project teams to pursue ambitious goals and demonstrate exceptional commitment and leadership in the built environment,” said Peter Templeton, President and CEO, USGBC. “We are pleased to see the growth in global demand for this streamlined LEED and WELL certification pathway, which has helped leaders more easily deliver projects that enhance human and environmental health in communities around the world."

“This is exactly the kind of leadership we need—market leaders stepping up to adopt the process for LEED and WELL,” said Yasushi Kinoshita, Representative Member, Eminence Partners G.K.; Chair, Green Building Japan; and IWBI Governance Council Member. “It’s incredibly encouraging to see the industry embrace this integrated approach to enhancing human health and the world around us—an approach that’s poised to shape the future of the built environment.”

The rapid adoption of the LEED+WELL process underscores a rising priority among market leaders to capture the health and well-being benefits from WELL’s dedicated and comprehensive focus on human health in combination with the tremendous environmental gains driven by LEED’s holistic approach to a built environment that is better for both people and the planet.

About the International WELL Building Institute
The International WELL Building Institute (IWBI) is a public benefit corporation and the global authority for transforming health and well-being in buildings, organizations and communities. In pursuit of its public-health mission, IWBI mobilizes its community through the development and administration of the WELL Building Standard (WELL), WELL for residential, WELL Community Standard, its WELL ratings and management of the WELL AP credential. IWBI also translates research into practice, develops educational resources and advocates for policies that promote people-first places for everyone, everywhere. More information on WELL can be found here.

International WELL Building Institute, IWBI, the WELL Building Standard, WELL v2, WELL Certified, WELL AP, WELL EP, WELL Score, The WELL Conference, We Are WELL, the WELL Community Standard, WELL Health-Safety Rated, WELL Performance Rated, WELL Equity Rated, WELL Equity, WELL Coworking Rated, WELL Residence, Works with WELL, WELL and others, and their related logos are trademarks or certification marks of International WELL Building Institute pbc in the United States and other countries.

About the U.S. Green Building Council 
The U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) accelerates and scales the transformation of the built environment to minimize climate impacts and enhance the well-being of people, the environment, and communities worldwide. USGBC leads market transformation through LEED and other green building certification and enablement programs, robust educational offerings, an international network of industry leaders, the annual Greenbuild International Conference & Expo, the Center for Green Schools, and advocacy in support of public policy that encourages and enables green buildings and communities. For more information, visit usgbc.org and connect on X (formerly Twitter), Instagram, Facebook, and LinkedIn.

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