The City of San Diego has attained national recognition for its accomplishments in sustainability and resilience. For the first time, the City has achieved LEED Gold certification from the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC), which held the first of its 2025 Local Government Leadership Summits in San Diego this week. San Diego was one of eight cities in the U.S., and the only one in San Diego County, to reach gold status this year.

"The City of San Diego’s continuing initiatives and bold leadership in building a better and sustainable future for all of us has been recognized by the U.S. Green Building Council in designating San Diego as a LEED Gold City,” said Council President Joe LaCava. “Their rigorous certification recognizes the City's work, in part, to integrate sustainability into every department and decision, prioritizing green solutions, reducing emissions and improving quality of life for all San Diegans.”

San Diego is part of a growing group to be certified using the LEED for Cities and Communities rating system. LEED, or Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design, was created by the USGBC and is the world’s most widely used green building rating system.

LEED for Cities and Communities helps local leaders measure and manage progress in the community in pursuit of a more sustainable, resilient and equitable future. LEED certification enables the City to track outcomes that are evaluated against key metrics that include energy, water, waste, transportation, education, health, safety, prosperity and equitability.

“As we continue to make progress toward our ambitious climate and equity goals, we are proud that the City of San Diego’s commitments to reducing emissions, building resilience and prioritizing our Communities of Concern have been recognized with LEED for Cities and Communities certification at the Gold level,” said Shelby Rust Busó, Chief Sustainability Officer for the City of San Diego. “This certification not only demonstrates the value of the City’s efforts to date but sets forth a pathway for continued progress toward our goals and improved quality of life for residents in all of our communities.”

San Diego achieved its LEED certification for implementing practical and measurable strategies and solutions aimed at improving sustainability and the standard of living for residents.

Among San Diego’s ongoing sustainability commitments evaluated for the certification are:

• Advancing toward an ambitious 2035 net-zero greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions goal through actions that bolster climate resilience and prioritize underserved communities, quality jobs, and a thriving local economy.
• Decarbonizing City government buildings and transitioning to a zero-emissions vehicle fleet.
• Transitioning homes and businesses to electric, zero-emission systems served by power procured from 100% renewable sources.

Developing complete communities featuring affordable housing and proximity to high-quality transit in which walking, biking, and mobility options other than driving are safe, plentiful and convenient.

“The work of cities and communities such as San Diego is a driving force in ensuring a more sustainable future for all,” said Peter Templeton, USGBC’s president and CEO. “Local governments that achieve LEED certification are lowering carbon emissions, creating a healthier environment and striving to improve the quality of life for their residents. San Diego is setting a standard for what it means to be a high performer, and its efforts and achievements should be an example for all.”

There are three levels of LEED certification: silver, gold and platinum. This year 145 local governments in the United States achieved LEED certification. One city in the nation, Philadelphia, was certified platinum.