Italy is becoming a major player in the green building movement, according to a new report from the U.S. Green Building Council.

The group says Italy now has 297 structures certified under the USGBC’s Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design building-rating program, representing more than 4.8 million square feet of space.

“As we bring together the green building community in Europe, it is the perfect time to celebrate the growth of LEED in Italy,” said Rick Fedrizzi, the USGBC’s CEO and founding chairman. “Italy’s LEED-certified museums, university buildings, 400-year-old villas and schools show that green buildings can be majestic and old, and part of the distinctive landscape of historic communities. At the same time, Italy’s new design-forward skyscrapers are testaments to the sustainability innovations and revolutionary breakthroughs that are being ushered in through LEED.”
 

The USGBC held Greenbuild Europe Oct. 14-16 in Verona, Italy.