Mercedes-Benz Stadium says it is world’s greenest sports venue

Arthur Blank is presented with a plaque for Mercedes-Benz Stadium’s LEED Platinum certification.

Arthur Blank is presented with a plaque for Mercedes-Benz Stadium’s LEED Platinum certification.

Mercedes-Benz Stadium is the first professional sports stadium in the world to achieve LEED Platinum Certification, according to stadium officials.

LEED, or Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design, was created by the U.S. Green Building Council and is the most widely used green building rating system.

The two-million-square-foot stadium scored 88 total points, more than any other sports facility, according to a Wednesday press release. The stadium opened in August.

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Setting a goal of achieving the highest LEED rating “was the right thing to do for our city and the environment,”Atlanta Falcons and Atlanta United owner Arthur Blank said in a statement.

Alternative transportation options, LED lighting and 4,000 solar PV panels that can power nine Atlanta Falcons games or 13 Atlanta United matches have been lauded as some of the stadium’s sustainability achievements.

Mahesh Ramanujam, president and CEO of USGBC and Green Business Certification, said the stadium’s leadership team has raised the bar for the industry, according to the November press release.

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