Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa took a major step in April, signing a law mandating green building standards for all building in Los Angeles, including the private sector.

The plan requires all buildings that are 50,000 square feet or fifty units or larger to meet LEED certifications in order to get permits. A system of incentives and mandates encourages developers to meet higher LEED certifications than what the city requires. The LEED certification process itself can add tens of thousands of dollars to the cost of a project.

Though stirring up controversy in the private sector, the mayor has the enthusiastic support of the city council, who seem ready to see the private sector step up as responsible environmental stewards. The council points to statistics that show that buildings account for at least forty percent of LA’s emissions to justify the new legislation. The LA Business Council is also receptive, describing green business as good business.

The LEED standard mandate is tied to Los Angeles’ rigorous climate targets, which aim to put the city at nearly forty percent their 1990 levels by 2030. Several other large metropolises are considering or are in the process of codifying LEED certification in building codes.

Read more at ENS.