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Italy Adopts LEED System

ROME — Italy is the first European Union nation to adopt the LEED rating system after Green Building Council Italia signed a memorandum of understanding with the USGBC establishing an Italian version of the system.

The GBC Italia version of LEED will reference local standards and codes and outline alternative compliance paths appropriate to the region. The agreement will also see the two building councils sharing tools, research and information about green building.

Mario Zoccatelli, president of GBC Italia, says his organization chose to adopt LEED because of the USGBC’s "history of innovation and its flexible approach."

“LEED has been very successful in the U.S. in transforming the approach to building design, construction and operation,” Zoccatelli says.

GBC Italia is an emerging member of the World Green Building Council. More than 70 projects are registered in Italy, and there are about 100 LEED Professional Credential holders in the country.