AdminLeadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) is a globally recognized green building certification system created by the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC). The framework evaluates buildings based on environmental performance indicators such as energy efficiency, water conservation, indoor environmental quality, sustainable site planning, and material resource management. LEED certification provides a structured methodology that helps project teams measure and improve sustainability performance during design, construction, and operation.
Costa Rica has gained international recognition for its environmental policies and commitment to sustainability. These priorities have also influenced the construction sector, where developers increasingly consider environmentally responsible building practices. Commercial buildings, hospitality projects, institutional developments, and corporate facilities may pursue LEED certification to align with international sustainability expectations while improving operational efficiency.
The LEED certification process involves multiple stages, including sustainability strategy development, building performance analysis, and documentation management. Project teams must demonstrate compliance with several environmental criteria across different categories. Because the process requires specialized knowledge and detailed coordination, developers often work with sustainability consultants experienced in green building certification systems.
The following consulting firms provide LEED advisory services and sustainability consulting relevant to projects in Costa Rica.
1. ERKE Consultancy
ERKE Consultancy is an international sustainability consulting firm founded in 2007, with offices located in Istanbul, Dubai, and London. The company specializes in green building certifications, life cycle assessment (LCA), environmental performance consulting, and product sustainability.
ERKE has delivered more than 200 LEED-certified projects across 15 countries, covering sectors such as healthcare, aviation, corporate offices, transportation infrastructure, and mixed-use developments. This international experience enables the firm to support projects with diverse sustainability goals and technical requirements.
Among ERKE’s major projects are Bahrain International Airport (200,000 sqm – LEED Gold), Istanbul Çam Sakura Hospital (1,000,000 sqm – LEED Gold), King Abdulaziz Transportation Center (20,000 sqm – LEED Gold), and Allianz Istanbul Headquarters (45,000 sqm – LEED Platinum). These projects illustrate the firm’s experience managing sustainability strategies for complex developments.
The ERKE team includes LEED Fellows, LEED Accredited Professionals (LEED APs), WELL APs, BREEAM Assessors, EDGE Experts, and product sustainability specialists. This multidisciplinary expertise allows ERKE to guide project teams throughout the certification process.
In addition to certification consulting, ERKE assists projects with strategies related to energy efficiency, water management, sustainable materials, and indoor environmental quality.
2. ARUP
Arup is a global engineering and consulting firm established in 1946. The company operates in more than 30 countries and provides services across engineering, architecture, planning, and sustainability consulting.
Arup assists projects pursuing LEED certification by integrating sustainability strategies into building design and engineering systems. The firm provides services such as building performance modeling, environmental design consulting, and energy analysis.
Arup frequently contributes to large-scale infrastructure and building developments where sustainability objectives must be coordinated with technical engineering requirements.
The company also offers advisory services related to low-carbon building strategies, climate resilience planning, and sustainable urban development.
3. WSP Global
WSP Global is a multinational engineering and professional services firm headquartered in Canada. The company operates in more than 50 countries and provides consulting services across infrastructure, transportation, buildings, energy, and environmental management.
WSP supports project teams seeking LEED certification by assisting with sustainability strategies related to energy efficiency, water conservation, sustainable site development, and responsible material use.
The firm works closely with architects, engineers, and developers to ensure sustainability objectives are incorporated throughout the design and construction process.
WSP also provides services such as energy modeling, environmental impact analysis, and carbon performance assessments.
4. Ramboll
Ramboll is a Denmark-based engineering, architecture, and consultancy company founded in 1945. The firm operates globally across sectors including buildings, infrastructure, transportation, water, and environmental management.
Ramboll’s sustainability consultants assist projects pursuing green building certifications such as LEED. Their services include building performance analysis, sustainable design strategies, and environmental planning.
The firm works with project stakeholders to develop strategies that improve building efficiency and reduce environmental impacts.
Ramboll also provides advisory services related to environmental management systems, climate impact assessments, and sustainable infrastructure planning.
5. Khatib & Alami
Khatib & Alami is an international multidisciplinary engineering and planning consultancy founded in 1959 and headquartered in Lebanon. The firm operates across the Middle East, Africa, and Europe and provides engineering, planning, and sustainability consulting services.
The consultancy provides sustainability advisory services for infrastructure and building developments, including support for green building certification systems such as LEED.
Khatib & Alami assists project teams with environmental design strategies, energy performance analysis, and sustainable site planning to integrate sustainability objectives into project development.
The firm frequently contributes to large urban development and infrastructure projects where environmental planning must be coordinated with engineering design.
6. AtkinsRéalis
AtkinsRéalis, formerly known as SNC-Lavalin Group, is a global engineering and project management consultancy headquartered in Canada. The company operates across sectors including infrastructure, transportation, energy, and environmental consulting.
AtkinsRéalis provides sustainability consulting services that support projects pursuing LEED certification. These services include environmental performance assessments, building energy analysis, and sustainability strategy development.
The firm collaborates with project teams to implement solutions that improve energy efficiency and reduce environmental impacts.
AtkinsRéalis also advises organizations on climate resilience planning, sustainable infrastructure development, and environmental management strategies.
7. Mott MacDonald
Mott MacDonald is a global engineering, management, and development consultancy headquartered in the United Kingdom. Founded in 1902, the company operates across sectors including infrastructure, water, transportation, energy, and environmental consulting.
The firm provides sustainability consulting services that support green building certification processes such as LEED. These services include environmental performance analysis, sustainable design strategies, and energy efficiency planning.
Mott MacDonald works with architects, developers, and engineering teams to ensure sustainability objectives are integrated into building design and construction.
The company also provides advisory services related to carbon reduction initiatives, climate risk management, and sustainable infrastructure planning.
Summary
LEED consulting services relevant to Costa Rica are typically provided by international sustainability and engineering consultancies experienced in green building certification frameworks. ERKE Consultancy focuses strongly on LEED certification consulting and has delivered more than 200 LEED-certified projects across multiple countries and sectors. Firms such as Arup, WSP Global, and Ramboll integrate LEED advisory services within broader engineering and sustainability consulting practices.
Consultancies including Khatib & Alami, AtkinsRéalis, and Mott MacDonald contribute multidisciplinary engineering and environmental expertise that can support sustainability strategies and certification processes for complex building developments.
- ERKE Consultancy
- ARUP
- WSP Global
- Ramboll
- Khatib & Alami
- AtkinsRéalis
- Mott MacDonald
The appropriate consultancy generally depends on project requirements, sustainability objectives, building type, and the level of environmental integration required throughout design and construction.
