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Furthermore, the use of structural steel for the facade reduced the total cost and amount of steel used in its construction by about 2000 tons -- an estimated 20% reduction vs. typical steel framing. Because of this and other environmental/sustainable design features, the Hearst Tower was awarded Gold by the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) of the United States Green Building Council. It was the first building in New York to earn this designation.

Other features of the Hearst Building that earned it Gold is the atrium floor, which is designed so that hot or cold water passes through polyethylene tubes for efficient heating and cooling. Other atrium features allow for natural and efficient heating and cooling. Furthermore, the waterfall in the atrium uses rainwater. It is the Tower's use of rainwater that distinguishes it from other office high rises in Manhattan. A tank in the basement can store up to 14,000 gallons, which is used for air conditioning, heating, and watering the internal landscaping. An estimated half of the water used by the tower is rainwater. A large proportion of the materials used in the construction of the tower were recycled, much of which was derived from the original building on the site.

In 2012, LEED upgraded the status of the Hearst Tower to Platinum, which is the highest possible rating. One of the reasons why the Tower has been designated the Platinum rating is that it is highly energy efficient and has proven to be committed to energy efficiency by having reduced energy consumption since initial construction. The tower is currently in the top ten percent of all buildings in the United States. Another reason why the Hearst Tower has a Platinum rating is that it composts a full 100% of its wet organic waste, uses all 100% of reclaimed and non-potable gray rainwater for landscaping, and has reduced its water consumption by 30%.