U.S. Green Building Council

For those in the construction industry, the green movement is no longer something that is coming; it is here. And the U.S Green Building Council (USGBC) facilitates the importance of this movement, offering programs for professionals in the field to make this a natural part of how they operate.

The statistics say it all: our country’s market in green building products and services was more than $7 billion in 2005, $12 billion in 2007, and is projected to increase to $60 billion by 2010.

The USGBC was founded to transform the way buildings and communities are designed, built, and operated, with the vision that they can be environmentally and socially responsible, healthy, and prosperous and help improve the quality of life. The USGBC has a vision that, “buildings and communities will regenerate and sustain the health and vitality of all life within a generation.”

The non-profit is composed of more than 15,000 organizations in the construction industry that are implementing this vision to advance structures that are environmentally responsible, profitable, and healthy places to live and work. From end-users and real estate developers to facility managers, architects, designers, engineers, subcontractors, building system manufacturers, government agencies and non-profits, the organization encompasses members from all aspects of the building process to make their dream a reality.

Headquartered on 1800 Massachusetts Avenue in Dupont Circle, one of the most dynamic neighborhoods of the nation’s capitol, USGBC today has 70 regional chapters across the country that provide green building resources, education and networking for their local communities.

Guided and Leading the Way

The USGBC has worked hard to establish itself as a leader in the green movement and to maintain a set of six principles to set the tone: promote the triple bottom line by restoring a balance between environmental, social and economic prosperity, establish leadership, reconcile humanity with nature, maintain integrity, ensure inclusiveness, and exhibit transparency. Among their programs to help the building industry achieve their vision, USGBC has established the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design rating system, known by most in the industry as simply LEED. Available for all building types, this system employs strategies for sustainable site development, water savings, energy efficiency, materials and resources selection, and indoor environmental quality. LEED provides measurable results for building owners and occupants, and checklists for contractors and others involved in the building process. Practicing what they preach, USGBC’s location in Washington, DC is platinum LEED-certified and holds a certification under the LEED for Commercial Interiors Rating System. USGBC’s education programs focus on green design, construction and operations for professionals from all sectors of the building industry. More than 54,500 designers, builders, suppliers, and managers have attended USGBC programs to learn practical knowledge for the movement, explore new business opportunities, and learn how to create healthier and more efficient places to live and work. The organization also hosts the annual Greenbuild conference, the largest international event focused on green building. Under this education umbrella, USGBC has their Emerging Green Builders program to offer educational opportunities and resources for students and young professionals, allowing the integration of future environmentally-friendly leaders into the industry.

An Organization with a Plan

USGBC has a Strategic Plan for 2009 through 2013. Inspired that green building has become mainstream, USGBC also knows there are still many ways in which sustainability on a large scale is a far off dream. In order to move the building industry forward, the organization has outlined definitive goals that will aid in making sustainability a tangible reality in all sectors of the industry. The first of these is to lead the building industry in creating sustainable cities and communities. Secondly, the organization will facilitate a reduction and eventual elimination of construction’s contribution to climate change and natural resource depletion. The organization also plans to accelerate demand, delivery, and accessibility to the green building marketplace. Through public policy, the USGBC will advocate for effective green building policy and codes at all levels of government. In the international sphere, the USGBC will work to collaborate with other countries to develop effective practices and policies around the world. Through their “organizational excellence,” the USGBC plans to enable this market transformation they see as necessary to achieve its mission. In today’s rapidly changing world, USGBC is taking the lead to help the building industry, at home and abroad, do their part to save the environment. Identifying where there is lack, the organization is ready to implement whatever is necessary to achieve their vision for the industry and the world.