According to a new study by CBRE Inc., Atlanta ranks number 5 on a new list that tracks green efforts by cities throughout the country. The list has 30 cities on it total, all of which are ranked by buildings in the cities that incorporate sustainable and energy saving designs. Atlanta earned its spot with 54 percent of commercial space in the city certified as sustainable. Minneapolis ranked as the “greenest” city in the nation, with 77 percent of its commercial real estate certified as green. Other cities in the top 5 included San Francisco, Chicago, and Houston.

Atlanta has built up its inventory of sustainable buildings, and it’s been a top 10 city ranked by its number of LEED-registered and certified projects, according to the U.S Green Building Council. The switch to more efficient construction became crucial for the area when the city was becoming increasingly criticized for urban sprawl and for contributing to high car usage and gasoline emissions.

Thinking of moving to Atlanta and building your dream home? Keep energy efficient home designs at the front of your radar when selecting a development company or architect. Sustainable projects emphasize energy and water conservation, but they are also more widely associated with the desire to improve quality of life.