Critics say LEED standards are not intended to justify siting projects in ecologically-sensitive areas where ANY construction will lead to potentially irreparable harm on sensitive ecological systems.

FORBES: Battle Brews Over U2's Malibu Mega-Estate

It earned the label by meeting standards developed by the Indian Green Building Council, the local chapter of U.S. Green Building Council, which created LEED standards. (Here I must give a shout-out to my hometown San Francisco International Airport, whose Terminal 2 also won gold certification, soon after Delhi did.) Rajiv Gandhi International Airport in Hyderabad also won a LEED-Silver rating.

FORBES: India's Airport Boom Embraces Green Building

Its Center for Sustainable Landscapes, a building that is part of a multi-year expansion project, will be built to exceed LEED Platinum standards.

FORBES: See green

The new facility will be oriented around a central plaza with views overlooking the adjacent Sunnyvale golf course and will be constructed to LEED Gold standards.

ENGADGET: Samsung expands Silicon Valley crib with 1.1 million square foot R&D center

The VERGE report suggests that the process of convergence is already underway, as the LEED system and ASHRAE standards continue to drive changes in efficiency, telecommuting increases, and a move back to cities occurs.

FORBES: On The Verge of Change: A View of Our Future Energy World