DC SUSTAINABILITY

DISTRIBUTION CENTERS

HOW TO USE THE STANDARDS

The standards are applicable to all new Nike DC projects, whether it’s a new construction project, fit-out of an empty core and shell building, or tenant improvements to an existing DC. 

Use the Project Types to determine which level should be followed.

All sustainability standards in Site Selection, Energy, Waste, Water, and Human Health must be adhered to.


Best practices within the industry are listed as OPTIONAL. These are typically over and above the minimum requirements.

Project Types

Use the tables below to find the right level of your project. All components with a ✓ are required for that level.


Projects with a short-term lease of 5 years or less are excluded from the Sustainability Standard


*Refresh scope is a partial renovation consisting of 1 or more space types

** Where the local code is more stringent or conflicts with the requirements, local code should take precedence

Level 1 Level 2 Level 3
Scope New Construction Renovation Refresh*
Criteria Ground Up Construction or Fit Out of Empty Core and Shell Renovation of Existing DC Refreshes of Existing DC
Nike Owned or Leased Nike Owned or Leased Nike Owned or Leased
Nike or 3PL Operated Nike or 3PL Operated Nike or 3PL Operated
Requirements All DC Sustainability Level 1 Standards  All DC Sustainability Level 2 Standards All DC Sustainability Level 3 Standards 
LEED Platinum Certification (BD+C or ID+C) LEED Gold Certification (BD+C or ID+C)
LEED Required Credits See Certification page for details See Certification page for details Not applicable

The table below summarizes the components of each category and defines whether they are required or optional

Level 1 Level 2 Level 3
Site Selection Sensitive Land Protection ✓ Optional Optional
Sub-metering Capability ✓ Optional Optional
All-electric (HVAC & DHW) ✓ Optional Optional
Refrigerants ✓ Optional Optional
Low Carbon Shipping ✓ Optional Optional
Regional Energy Grid ✓ Optional Optional
Utilities Managed by Nike Optional Optional Optional
All-electric (cooking) Optional Optional Optional
Resilience Optional Optional Optional
Protect or Restore Habitat Optional Optional Optional
Energy Energy Model ✓ ✓ Optional
Envelope Commissioning Optional Optional Optional
Heat Island – Roof ✓ ✓ Optional
Heat Island – Nonroof Optional Optional Optional
Commissioning ✓ ✓ ✓
HVAC – Electrification ✓ ✓ Optional
HVAC – Efficiencies ✓ ✓ Optional
HVAC Refridgerants ✓ ✓ Optional
Metering ✓ ✓ ✓
BAS ✓ ✓ ✓
EnMS Optional Optional Optional
Lighting ✓ ✓ ✓
EV Charging ✓ Optional Optional
Equipment ✓ ✓ ✓
Renewable Energy ✓ ✓ ✓
Level 1 Level 2 Level 3
Waste Operations ✓ ✓ ✓
Signage ✓ ✓ ✓
Recycling ✓ ✓ ✓
Water Water Fixtures ✓ ✓ ✓
Water Metering ✓ ✓ ✓
Outdoor Water Use ✓ ✓ Optional
Appliances ✓ ✓ Optional
Process Water Systems ✓ Optional Optional
Water Reuse Optional Optional Optional
Materials Low Emitting Optional Optional Optional
Raw Materials Optional Optional Optional
EPDs Optional Optional Optional
Material Ingredients Optional Optional Optional
Embodied Carbon Optional Optional Optional
Human Health Minimum IAQ ✓ ✓ ✓
Outdoor Airflow ✓ ✓ ✓
Exhaust Air ✓ ✓ ✓
Recirculated Air Optional Optional Optional
No Smoking ✓ ✓ ✓
Demand Control Ventilation ✓ ✓ Optional
Construction IAQ ✓ ✓ ✓
Sound Reduction ✓ ✓ ✓
Daylight Optional Optional Optional
Glare Protection ✓ ✓ ✓
Lighting Controls & Quality ✓ ✓ ✓
Thermal ✓ ✓ ✓
Views ✓ ✓ ✓