grENA: Ecological network analysis to assess LEED green buildings’ sustainability

Abstract

Sustainability and resilience are essential for extending a building's lifespan and protecting both people and the environment. Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) is a widely used green building certification that aims to align projects with future climate and energy goals. However, many LEED credits do not fully reflect the principles of long-term sustainability. LEED credits were compared to ecological food web structures using ecological network analysis (ENA) to better assess building sustainability, a method that emphasizes system-level balance and resource cycling. When applied to LEED scorecards for 1266 newly constructed buildings, ENA revealed that restructuring credits based on system impact, particularly cyclicity, provides a clearer picture of building performance. The proposed grENA model showed an increase in system cyclicity from 1.00 in LEED to 4.18, capturing critical community-level effects. Ecological networks often exhibit higher cyclicity due to organized recycling, a feature largely underrepresented in current LEED priorities. Results also showed that 37% of buildings had inflated LEED certifications, indicating misalignment between awarded points and true sustainability. The proposed model supports more resilient building design by emphasizing balanced subsystems and community integration. These findings highlight the value of sustainable urbanism, where features like green spaces, efficient public transport, and mixed-use developments enhance livability while minimizing environmental impact. A holistic, systems-based approach ensures that buildings not only meet energy goals but also contribute positively to their broader urban ecosystems.