Ensuring sustainable construction and promoting green building practices are an essential component of our Green Vision. An estimated 70 percent of the community's total energy use and 16 percent of its water goes to buildings. We can change this by building green or retrofitting our existing buildings to reduce energy and water use and incorporate sustainable construction materials. This will significantly reduce our carbon impact. Our goal is big: In 15 years, San José will be home to 50 million square feet of green buildings - the equivalent of nearly 100 buildings the size of San José City Hall.

Whether new construction or retrofitted structures, these buildings will meet high environmental standards, such as achieving a U.S. Green Building Council's Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED^TM) certification. These energy efficient buildings will provide a showcase for local Clean Tech products as well as innovations in green building materials, local commitment to sustainable practices, and the fiscal benefits of building green. The City of San José has already started at home. This City has its offices in the first LEED Platinum City Hall and has opened several LEED Certified buildings including Roosevelt and Camden Community Centers, Happy Hollow Zoo and Park, the first LEED certified zoo in the nation, and West Valley Branch Library, the first LEED Certified library in the world, The City has adopted aggressive green building policies for both, the public and private sector.