Hong Kong ranks among global top 10 LEED markets for second straight year

Hong Kong has secured a spot among the world’s top 10 countries and regions for Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) for the second consecutive year, the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) announced.

The city rose one place in the 2025 rankings to sixth globally and fourth in Asia, after adding nearly 100 LEED-certified projects last year, representing a year-on-year increase of about 41 percent.

The newly certified area exceeded 3.1 million square meters, or around 34 million square feet, marking a 40 percent increase compared with the previous year.

The USGBC said the result further underscores Hong Kong’s position as a leading green building market in Asia and reflects its long-term commitment to highly efficient, sustainable, and scalable development.

“As a major international financial hub, Hong Kong’s market structure is well-positioned to integrate sustainable building performance into decisions about financing, long-term investment, and asset management,” said Jing Wang, vice president of USGBC and GBCI North Asia.

LEED Operations and Maintenance (O+M) certifications have continued to account for a growing share of total certifications, rising from about 20 percent in 2021 to 45 percent in 2025.

The shift indicates that LEED O+M has become one of the primary certification types in Hong Kong, signaling a move away from Interior Design and Construction (LEED ID+C) toward greater emphasis on operational performance and long-term environmental outcomes.

Several major projects in Hong Kong achieved LEED certification over the past year, including The Henderson and The Quayside, both of which attained the highest Platinum level.

The USGBC also noted a clear trend of LEED certification expanding beyond individual buildings to portfolio-level applications. In 2024, Hongkong Land achieved LEED certification for its Central portfolio, while multiple major buildings at Taikoo Place were certified during 2025.