Does LEED Certification Save Energy? Evidence from Federal Buildings / Karen Clay, Edson R. Severnini, Xiaochen Sun.

Format:

Book

Author/Creator:

Clay, Karen.

Contributor:

National Bureau of Economic Research.

Severnini, Edson R.

Sun, Xiaochen.

Series:

Working Paper Series (National Bureau of Economic Research) no. w28612.

NBER working paper series no. w28612

Language:

English

Physical Description:

1 online resource: illustrations (black and white);

Place of Publication:

Cambridge, Mass. National Bureau of Economic Research 2021.

Summary:

In the absence of first-best climate policy, energy efficiency has figured prominently among strategies to reduce carbon emissions. One of the most sought-after green certification in the building sector is the internationally recognized Leadership in Energy & Environmental Design (LEED). This paper examines the effects of LEED certification on energy efficiency in federally owned buildings. Using propensity score matching and difference in differences models, we find no effect of LEED certification on average energy consumption. This reflects the fact that energy use is one of a number of attributes that receives scores under the LEED program. Buildings with above average energy scores have greater energy efficiency post-certification. Some other attributes, notably higher water scores, decrease energy efficiency post-certification. Trade-offs across LEED attributes account for the absence of energy savings on average. If energy efficiency is the primary policy goal, LEED certification may not be the most effective means to reach that goal.

Notes:

Print version record

March 2021.