During its 30 years of existence, U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) has led an exploding sustainability movement. At the organization’s annual conference, Greenbuild, USGBC released a new report detailing 30 years of impact on the green building market.
The organization’s goal has always been market transformation to sustainability, and this report details the organization’s efforts and impact.
Highlights of the report include:
The LEED Green Building Rating system was introduced in 1998, and according to the report, since its inception, LEED-certified buildings use 25 percent less energy, 11 percent less water, and reduce carbon emissions by 34 percent. LEED is still the most widely used green building rating system in the world.
“The impact of our community extends beyond buildings,” says Peter Templeton, president and CEO, U.S. Green Building Council. “Our global community has shaped policy, shifted markets toward sustainable and healthy materials, inspired generations of professionals, and proven that the built environment can be a leading contributor to a better future for all.”
The report also says that the global green building community now includes more than 200,000 USGBC-credential green building professionals.
Greg Zimmerman is senior contributing editor for FacilitiesNet.com and Building Operating Management magazine.
