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Paragraph added to article: Green infrastructure>Implementation

Ongoing Initiatives

One program that has integrated green infrastructure into construction projects worldwide is the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) certification. This system offers a benchmark rating for green buildings and neighborhoods, credibly quantifying a project’s environmental responsibility. The LEED program incentivizes development that uses resources efficiently. For example, it offers specific credits for reducing indoor and outdoor water use, optimizing energy performance, producing renewable energy, and minimizing or recycling project waste. Two LEED initiatives that directly promote the use of green infrastructure include the rainwater management and heat island reduction credits. An example of a successfully LEED-certified neighborhood development is the 9th and Berks Street transit-oriented development (TOD) in Philadelphia, PA which achieved a Platinum level rating on October 12th, 2017.

Another approach to implementing green infrastructure has been developed by the International Living Future Institute. Their Living Community Challenge assesses a community or city in twenty different aspects of sustainability. Notably, the Challenge considers whether the development achieves net positive water and energy uses and utilizes replenishable materials.

Paragraph added to article: Green infrastructure>Planning Approach>United States

One example of these green infrastructure programs in use is the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES). It was established in 1972 to reduce stormwater runoff pollution across the United States by distributing permits to facilities (or groups of facilities) to regulate their allowable point source pollution. Under the Clean Water Act, the NPDES may be managed by localities, which has prompted many cities and counties to delegate Best Management Practices (BMPs) to local builders for slowing and filtering surface runoff from their projects.