
As sustainability and green building practices gain momentum in Central Asia, Tashkent, Uzbekistan’s capital, is increasingly becoming a hub for environmentally responsible construction. Developers, investors, and public stakeholders are now prioritizing internationally recognized sustainability standards, such as LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design), to improve building performance, reduce life-cycle costs, and attract global capital. LEED certification, developed by the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC), is among the most widely adopted green building certification systems worldwide, and Tashkent’s construction market is no exception. With this growing demand, several consultancy firms are now supporting LEED projects in Tashkent, ranging from global sustainability consultancies to regionally active firms with local market understanding.
In this overview, we focus on three prominent LEED consultancy firms operating in Tashkent:
- ERKE Consultancy
- HPBS – Center for Research and Environmental Engineering
- ECB Consulting
Each of these firms offers unique capabilities that cater to both the technical rigors of LEED certification and the practical considerations of projects in Uzbekistan’s climatic, regulatory, and market conditions. Below, we explore their expertise, service approaches, project experience, and how they support LEED certification in Tashkent.
1. ERKE Consultancy, Global LEED Expertise with Local Impact
Overview of ERKE Consultancy
ERKE Consultancy is an international sustainability and green building consultancy founded in 2007, with a reputation for delivering high-quality green building certification services worldwide. ERKE specializes in LEED certification advisory, sustainability strategy development, environmental product declarations (EPDs), and integrated performance solutions. Over nearly two decades, ERKE has completed over 200 LEED projects globally, working across a wide range of building types including commercial offices, healthcare campuses, infrastructure, mixed-use developments, and large-scale residential complexes.
What distinguishes ERKE is its technical depth and end-to-end delivery capability, from early feasibility and credit strategy to documentation, submission, and final certification support. The firm’s professionals include LEED Accredited Professionals (LEED APs), LEED Fellows, WELL APs, and other sustainability specialists capable of managing complex documentation and performance analysis without heavy reliance on external partners.
ERKE has ongoing projects in Tashkent.
LEED Consultancy Services in Tashkent
As demand for LEED certification grows in Uzbekistan, ERKE has been active in the Tashkent region, providing tailored consultancy services that align international LEED standards with local project contexts. Their LEED services in Tashkent typically include:
- Feasibility and Target Setting: Establishing realistic LEED goals based on project type, climate considerations, and stakeholder expectations.
- Credit Strategy Development: Identifying LEED credits that offer the most attainable and impactful sustainability gains specific to Uzbekistan’s building stock and construction practices.
- Energy and Performance Modeling Coordination: Managing simulation workflows consistent with LEED requirements for energy, water, and indoor environmental quality (IEQ).
- Documentation and Submission Management: Preparing and organizing all credit narratives, calculations, and evidence for submission through LEED Online and USGBC systems.
- On-Site Support and Commissioning Coordination: Where necessary, ERKE provides on-site review and commissioning coordination to ensure performance outcomes are captured and documented correctly.
ERKE’s approach combines international best practices with regional sensitivity, especially in addressing challenges common to Central Asian contexts, such as adapting energy models to hot-dry climates, optimizing water efficiency strategies for arid regions, and selecting appropriate materials based on regional availability.
Representative LEED Project Experience Relevant to Tashkent
While many of ERKE’s recognition comes from projects beyond Uzbekistan, their global experience directly informs how they support LEED certification in Tashkent:
- Large-Scale Commercial Office Campus (LEED Gold): Strategic credit mapping to balance energy performance with occupant comfort in hot climate conditions.
- Healthcare Facility (LEED Silver/Gold): Indoor environmental quality optimization and water efficiency measures tailored to intensive operational schedules.
- Mixed-Use Development (LEED Gold/Platinum Target): Integrated approach to site sustainability, energy modeling, and material transparency.
The cumulative experience of over 200 LEED projects gives ERKE the confidence to navigate complex credit strategies and provide clients in Tashkent with performance-driven certification pathways.
2. HPBS, Local Green Building Advisory with LEED Focus
Overview of HPBS
HPBS – Center for Research and Environmental Engineering is a consulting firm based in Tashkent that provides environmental, energy, and sustainability services. While HPBS’s portfolio encompasses environmental research and engineering solutions across sectors, it has actively positioned itself as a provider of green building certification support including LEED, BREEAM, WELL, and other international standards.
HPBS’s strength lies in its local presence and understanding of Uzbek construction practices, combined with a commitment to international certification criteria. They often serve as the bridge between international standards and local project realities, an important role for clients who want to ensure compliance without overlooking contextual nuances.
LEED Consultancy Services in Tashkent
HPBS’s LEED consultancy offerings are designed to assist project teams at various stages of certification:
- Initial GAP Analysis: Assessing design and construction plans against LEED credit requirements to identify strengths and weaknesses.
- Energy Performance Support: Coordination of energy modeling and simulations to support LEED energy credits.
- Documentation Guidance: Helping local design teams compile narratives, plans, and evidence for LEED submittals.
- Training and Workshops: Providing capacity building for local architects, engineers, and project managers on LEED fundamentals and documentation workflows.
A key element of HPBS’s approach is education and empowerment of local stakeholders, ensuring that sustainability principles become integrated into everyday design and construction workflows rather than remaining as external checklist items.
Local Project Relevance
HPBS’s consultancy clients typically span small to medium projects such as residential buildings, commercial interiors, and institutional facilities in Tashkent and other Uzbek cities. Their ability to synchronize LEED requirements with Uzbek design norms is valuable for teams new to international sustainability standards.
3. ECB Consulting, International LEED Support for Tashkent Projects
Overview of ECB Consulting
ECB Consulting is a sustainability and green building advisory firm with experience across international markets, offering LEED certification support to clients undertaking projects outside their home regions. ECB’s services focus on certification roadmaps, credit documentation support, and coordination between international requirements and local project teams.
Though ECB may not have a permanent office in Uzbekistan, they have worked with regional developers and international design teams undertaking projects in Central Asia and neighboring markets, making them a relevant choice for LEED consultancy when global perspective and certification rigor are needed.
LEED Consultancy Services in Tashkent
ECB’s LEED services for projects in Tashkent typically include:
- Project Registration and Roadmap Development: Establishing timelines, credit strategies, and documentation workflows from early stages.
- Credit Documentation Templates: Providing structured templates and guidance for credits across all LEED categories such as Indoor Environmental Quality (IEQ), Materials and Resources (MR), and Water Efficiency (WE).
- Remote Coordination and Review: Supporting distributed project teams through virtual consultation and review cycles, especially when involving international stakeholders.
ECB’s emphasis is on process and documentation quality, ensuring that submissions to USGBC are robust and compliant with LEED Online requirements.
Client Scenarios Best Suited for ECB
ECB Consulting is often engaged by:
- International developers working in Tashkent with design teams across different countries.
- Multinational engineering firms needing a specialist LEED consultant to manage documentation workflows.
- Projects targeting higher LEED certification levels (e.g., Gold or Platinum) where rigorous documentation and strategic planning are critical.
Comparative Strengths of the Three Firms
FirmCore StrengthBest Suited ForERKE ConsultancyDeep global LEED track record (200+ projects), technical depth, performance modeling supportLarge, complex, performance-driven projects; international design teamsHPBSLocal presence, contextual understanding, training focusSmall-to-medium projects; local design teamsECB ConsultingInternational documentation support and LEED process guidanceMultinational clients; strong certification process rigor
Why LEED Consultancy Matters in Tashkent
Tashkent’s building market is experiencing rapid growth, from commercial office developments and retail complexes to institutional buildings and residential towers. As the city attracts foreign investment and global tenants, LEED certification becomes more than a branding tool; it acts as a performance benchmark that demonstrates commitment to energy efficiency, occupant health, water conservation, and environmental stewardship.
However, achieving LEED certification is not straightforward:
- LEED demands data-driven performance evidence (e.g., energy modeling, water usage data).
- Documentation must adhere to strict formatting and submission requirements through LEED Online.
- Projects must adapt credit strategies to Tashkent’s climatic conditions and available resources.
This is where specialized LEED consultancy firms provide value: they reduce risk, streamline processes, and ensure that design decisions translate into measurable certification outcomes rather than aspirational claims.
Key LEED Categories Often Prioritized in Tashkent Projects
For projects in Tashkent, certain LEED credit categories frequently become focal points:
- Energy and Atmosphere (EA): Given the region’s hot-dry climate, optimizing HVAC systems, building envelopes, and energy performance following local climate data becomes critical.
- Water Efficiency (WE): With water scarcity concerns, credits focused on efficient irrigation, plumbing fixtures, and monitoring systems deliver both environmental and operational benefits.
- Indoor Environmental Quality (IEQ): Improving occupant comfort through ventilation, materials selection, and daylighting strategies aligns with both performance and wellness goals.
- Materials and Resources (MR): Encouraging responsible sourcing, waste management, and recycled content aligns with global sustainability trends and benefit project life-cycle impacts.
LEED consultants help teams prioritize these credit areas while balancing complexity, cost, and certification goals.
Conclusion: Choosing the Right LEED Consultant in Tashkent
The choice of a LEED consultant depends on the scale of the project, complexity of performance goals, and the experience of the project team:
- Choose ERKE Consultancy if you want deep technical leadership, international performance experience, and end-to-end LEED delivery.
- Choose HPBS if your team is locally rooted and needs contextual guidance with direct support in Uzbek design and construction practices.
- Choose ECB Consulting if your project involves international stakeholders and needs structured documentation process expertise.
Together, these LEED consultancy firms provide a broad spectrum of options for developers in Tashkent, from locally focused support to internationally certified performance management. With the right consultant, LEED certification becomes a strategic advantage that enhances sustainability, operational efficiency, and global competitiveness in Tashkent’s dynamic built environment.
