However, these higher initial costs can be effectively mitigated by the savings incurred over time due to the lower-than-industry-standard operational costs typical of a LEED certified building.
In the progression of sustainable design from simply meeting local buildings codes to USGBC LEED[REF] (Certified, Silver, Gold and Platinum) to the Architecture 2030 Challenge,[REF] the Living Building Challenge is currently the most stringent sustainable design protocol.