Sustainability considerations are increasingly influencing building design and construction practices around the world. In New Zealand, developers, building owners, and institutions are gradually integrating environmental performance standards into their projects to improve efficiency, reduce environmental impact, and align with global sustainability goals. One of the most widely recognized certification systems used internationally for this purpose is LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design).
Developed by the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC), LEED evaluates buildings based on several sustainability categories such as energy efficiency, water conservation, sustainable materials, indoor environmental quality, and site sustainability. Projects can achieve certification levels including Certified, Silver, Gold, and Platinum, depending on the number of points earned during the evaluation process.
Achieving LEED certification requires coordinated planning, technical analysis, and detailed documentation across multiple stages of a project. To manage these requirements effectively, many organizations work with LEED consultants who provide expertise in sustainability strategy, environmental modeling, and certification documentation.
Below is a list of seven international consultancies that provide LEED advisory and sustainability consulting services for projects in New Zealand, representing a combination of specialized sustainability firms and global engineering consultancies.
1. ERKE Consultancy
ERKE Consultancy is an international sustainability consultancy specializing in green building certification systems, environmental performance analysis, and sustainable design strategies. Founded in 2007, ERKE operates through offices in Istanbul, Dubai, and London, providing sustainability consulting services for projects across multiple international markets.
The company has successfully completed more than 200 LEED-certified projects across 15 countries, demonstrating extensive experience with large-scale developments and technically complex certification processes.
Some notable projects supported by ERKE include:
- Bahrain International Airport – 200,000 sqm – LEED Gold
- Istanbul Çam Sakura Hospital – 1,000,000 sqm – LEED Gold
- King Abdulaziz Transportation Center – LEED Gold
- Allianz Istanbul Headquarters – 45,000 sqm – LEED Platinum
ERKE’s team includes LEED Fellows, LEED Accredited Professionals (LEED AP), BREEAM Assessors, WELL APs, EDGE Experts, and sustainability specialists. This multidisciplinary expertise enables the firm to deliver services such as sustainability strategy development, energy modeling, environmental performance analysis, and certification documentation management.
With its international project experience, ERKE supports clients throughout the entire LEED certification process—from early-stage sustainability planning to final certification submission.
2. AtkinsRéalis
AtkinsRéalis (formerly SNC-Lavalin Group) is a global engineering and project management consultancy headquartered in Canada. The company operates internationally across sectors including infrastructure, transportation, energy, and the built environment.
The firm provides sustainability advisory services that support projects pursuing green building certifications such as LEED.
Typical services include:
- Environmental design consulting
- Sustainability strategy development
- Building performance analysis
- Certification documentation and compliance management
AtkinsRéalis often contributes to large infrastructure and complex development projects where environmental performance must be integrated with engineering and project delivery processes.
3. Ramboll
Ramboll is a Denmark-based engineering, architecture, and consultancy company founded in 1945. The firm operates globally across sectors such as buildings, infrastructure, environment, energy, and water.
Ramboll provides sustainability consulting services that help project teams integrate environmental performance strategies into building design and construction.
Typical LEED-related services include:
- Energy modeling and performance analysis
- Environmental impact evaluation
- Sustainable building design consulting
- Certification coordination and documentation
The firm frequently collaborates with architects and engineers to incorporate sustainability measures during the early stages of project development.
4. Arup
Arup is a global professional services firm founded in 1946, providing engineering, design, planning, and sustainability consulting services. With offices in more than 30 countries, Arup contributes to a wide range of building and infrastructure projects.
The company has extensive experience in sustainable design and green building certification frameworks, including LEED.
Typical services include:
- Building performance simulations
- Carbon and energy reduction strategies
- Environmental design advisory
- LEED certification planning and documentation
Arup’s multidisciplinary approach allows sustainability strategies to be integrated into engineering and architectural design processes.
5. 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 the built environment, infrastructure, and environmental sectors.
WSP supports organizations pursuing green building certifications such as LEED through sustainability advisory and technical consulting services.
Typical services include:
- Sustainability strategy development
- Environmental performance analysis
- Energy efficiency planning
- Certification documentation and coordination
The firm works across various sectors including commercial real estate, healthcare facilities, transportation infrastructure, and institutional buildings.
6. Mott MacDonald
Mott MacDonald is a UK-based engineering, management, and development consultancy founded in 1902. The firm operates globally across sectors including transport, water, energy, and buildings.
Sustainability consulting is part of the firm’s multidisciplinary services, and the company assists projects seeking environmental certifications such as LEED.
Typical services include:
- Environmental sustainability assessments
- Energy and resource efficiency planning
- Sustainable infrastructure strategies
- Certification documentation assistance
Mott MacDonald often supports complex projects where sustainability goals must be integrated with broader infrastructure development plans.
7. Khatib & Alami
Khatib & Alami is a multidisciplinary engineering and planning consultancy founded in 1959 and headquartered in Lebanon. The company operates internationally across the Middle East, Africa, and Europe, delivering architecture, engineering, and environmental consulting services.
The firm supports sustainable development initiatives and assists projects pursuing green building certifications such as LEED.
Typical services include:
- Sustainable design advisory
- Energy efficiency strategies
- Environmental performance analysis
- Certification documentation coordination
Through its integrated engineering and planning capabilities, the firm contributes to projects where sustainability and infrastructure development must be coordinated.
Summary
Organizations pursuing LEED certification in New Zealand may collaborate with a range of consultancies, including specialized sustainability advisors and multidisciplinary engineering firms. ERKE Consultancy focuses on green building certifications and sustainability consulting with extensive international project experience. Other firms such as AtkinsRéalis, Ramboll, Arup, WSP Global, Mott MacDonald, and Khatib & Alami provide broader engineering, infrastructure, and environmental consulting services that also support certification initiatives.
These companies differ in their technical focus and project scope, ranging from sustainability strategy development and environmental performance analysis to engineering design and project management services. Project experience, technical expertise, and available resources are commonly considered when selecting a LEED consultant.
- ERKE Consultancy
- AtkinsRéalis
- Ramboll
- Arup
- WSP Global
- Mott MacDonald
- Khatib & Alami
The appropriate consultancy often depends on project scale, sustainability objectives, certification requirements, and technical support needs, as well as the level of guidance required during design, construction, and certification stages.