U.S. Green Building Council
Self-Description : Edited September 2008 http://www.usgbc.org/
THE U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) is a non-profit organization based in Washington, DC. and committed to expanding sustainable building practices. USGBC is composed of more than 15,000 organizations from across the building industry that are working to advance structures that are environmentally responsible, profitable, and healthy places in which to live and work.
Members include building owners and end-users, real estate developers, facility managers, architects, designers, engineers, general contractors, subcontractors, product and building-system manufacturers, government agencies, and non-profits.
Mission
To transform the way buildings and communities are designed, built and operated, enabling an environmentally and socially responsible, healthy, and prosperous environment that improves the quality of life.
Vision
Buildings and communities will regenerate and sustain the health and vitality of all life within a generation.
Programs
The annual U.S. market in green building products and services was more than US$7 billion in 2005, $12 billion in 2007 and is projected to increase to $60 billion by 2010. USGBC supports this effort with the following programs:
Rating System
Developed by USGBC, Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (Leed) is a voluntary, consensus-based national rating system for developing high-performance, sustainable buildings. Leed addresses all building types and emphasizes state-of-the-art strategies for sustainable site development, water savings, energy efficiency, materials and resources selection, and indoor environmental quality. Leed is a practical rating tool for green building design and construction that provides immediate and measurable results for building owners and occupants.
Chapter Programs
There are more than 70 regional USGBC chapters nationwide providing green building resources, education, and networking opportunities in their communities.
Education
USGBC provides top quality educational programs 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 educational programs to gain practical knowledge, explore new business opportunities, and learn how to create healthier, more productive and more efficient places to live and work. USGBC also hosts Greenbuild, a major international conference and expo focused on green building.