JACKSONVILLE ACHIEVES LEED FOR CITIES PLATINUM CERTIFICATION
Jacksonville is One of 10 Cities in the World to Achieve the Highest Level of Certification
The City of Jacksonville announced today that it has achieved LEED for Cities Platinum certification, the highest level of certification available through the internationally recognized LEED rating system. Jacksonville is now one of ten cities in the world to achieve LEED for Cities Platinum certification.
LEED, or Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design, was created by the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) and is the world’s most widely used green building rating system. LEED for Cities goes beyond individual buildings to measure performance across the entire jurisdiction, helping local governments benchmark progress, set priorities, and make informed decisions for the future.
“Becoming one of only 10 cities in the world to achieve LEED for Cities Platinum is an extraordinary accomplishment for Jacksonville,” said Mayor Donna Deegan. “What makes this recognition especially meaningful is that it reflects how we serve our community every day – from JFRD and critical infrastructure to solid waste, water testing, health initiatives, resilience planning and environmental stewardship programs. This certification and our progress will lead to more business investment in our community.”
The achievement represents nearly two years of cross-departmental work, funded by a Bank of America grant and coordinated by the City’s Office of Sustainability. Employees across City government, agencies and community organizations contributed data, documented programs and policies, and benchmarked Jacksonville’s performance against other cities through the LEED for Cities framework.
Jacksonville earned Platinum certification by demonstrating measurable performance and strategies across natural systems and ecology, transportation and land use, energy, water, materials and resources, quality of life, innovation, and regional priorities.
The certification highlights the city’s commitment to improving quality of life by reducing resource consumption, advancing environmental and public health, supporting housing stability, and responding to the needs of residents by investing in key programs and partnerships, including the Elderly Food Insecurity Initiative, Keep Jacksonville Beautiful, Art in Public Places Program, Emerald Trail development, and the Lights Out Northeast Florida partnership.
From the public's perspective, LEED for Cities demonstrates accountability and transparency by showing measurable outcomes. The certification strengthens Jacksonville's competitiveness by providing credible performance data that is increasingly valued by businesses, investors, and capital markets. It supports many of the same priorities that investors, rating agencies, and resilience programs look for, including long-term planning, risk reduction, climate preparedness, infrastructure management, and effective governance. Ultimately, LEED for Cities helps build confidence that Jacksonville is investing wisely, managing risk proactively, and creating a stronger, more resilient future for its residents.
“LEED Platinum gives us more than recognition. It gives us a comprehensive picture of where Jacksonville is today and a framework for where we can go next,” said Ashantae Green, Sustainability Manager, City of Jacksonville. “It is also a competitive advantage, providing measurable data to identify efficiencies, strengthen funding opportunities and demonstrate to businesses and residents that Jacksonville is planning for long-term growth and resilience”
“A sustainable city balances social, economic and environmental concerns in its decision making and planning. A LEED city takes those plans forward as solutions that improve the overall quality of life for its residents,” said Peter Templeton, President and CEO, U.S. Green Building Council. “Jacksonville’s LEED certification is a symbol of its leadership on sustainability.”
The City celebrated the achievement at a recognition ceremony at City Hall with Mayor Deegan, Hilari Varnadore, Vice President, State and Local Government, U.S. Green Building Council, City leadership and employees representing the departments that contributed to the certification.
As a permanent recognition of the achievement, a LEED for Cities Platinum plaque is now displayed in Jacksonville City Hall, along with a sign at Riverfront Plaza commemorating Jacksonville’s place among a select group of communities worldwide to achieve the highest level of LEED for Cities certification.
Photos are attached; please credit Wes Lester/COJ.