Hoboken Joins 2026 LEED for Cities Cohort as Only New Jersey Municipality

Hoboken has been selected as one of 17 municipalities nationwide to participate in the 2026 LEED for Cities Certification Cohort, an initiative led by the U.S. Green Building Council. The city is the only municipality in New Jersey and one of three in the Northeast to join the cohort.

LEED for Cities is a program that gives local governments a framework to measure and improve performance across environmental, economic, and social areas. Through the program, Hoboken will track key data points, compare its progress against benchmarks, and pursue third-party certification of its sustainability efforts.

A participant from the 2025 cohort described the program’s practical value. “The LEED for Cities Cohort provided valuable structure and support, especially for small sustainability teams like ours,” said Alex Pharmakis, sustainability manager for the city of Farmers Branch, Texas. “With practical resources and access to a strong network of peers, the program simplified our path to certification.”

“As a coastal city on the front lines of climate change, Hoboken understands the urgency of building a more resilient and sustainable future,” said Mayor Emily B. Jabbour. “This program will help us measure our progress, strengthen our strategies, and ensure accountability as we work toward a greener, more equitable community.”

USGBC President and CEO Peter Templeton said the cohort reflects a growing movement among local governments. “The 2026 cohort represents a diverse set of cities united in their commitment to creating a better future,” Templeton said.

Participation will support Hoboken’s work on climate resilience, infrastructure, transportation, and access to green spaces. The 2026 cohort collectively represents approximately 2.5 million people across the country. The program has supported nearly 140 local governments representing more than 58 million people since launching in 2017. For more on Hoboken’s sustainability efforts, visit hobokennj.gov/sustainability.