Which of the following building certifications primarily focuses on carbon footprint reduction and sustainable building practices?

The certification that most directly targets carbon‑footprint reduction and overall sustainable building practices is LEED, short for Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design. LEED scores a project on energy use, water efficiency, indoor environmental quality, and sustainable site planning, giving higher points to buildings that cut emissions and use renewable energy. By requiring measurable reductions in greenhouse‑gas emissions, LEED encourages designers to choose low‑impact materials and renewable power sources. For example, a new office building that installs solar panels, high‑efficiency HVAC, and recycled‑content finishes can earn LEED Gold, showing it meets stringent carbon‑reduction standards. Thus, LEED is the primary certification focused on lowering a building’s carbon footprint.