usgbc

The U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC), founded in 1993, is a non-profit trade organization that promotes sustainability in how buildings are designed, built and operated. The USGBC is best known for the development of the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) rating system and Greenbuild, a green building conference that promotes the green building industry, including environmentally responsible materials, sustainable architecture techniques and public policy.

USGBC has more than 15,000 member organizations from every sector of the building industry and works to promote buildings that are environmentally responsible, profitable and healthy places to live and work. To achieve this it has developed a variety of programs and services, and works closely with key industry and research organizations and federal, state and local government agencies.

USGBC also offers a host of educational opportunities, including workshops and Web-based seminars to educate the public and industry professionals on different elements of the green building industry, from the basics to more technical information. Through its Green Building Certification Institute, formerly the LEED Accredited Professional program, USGBC offers industry professionals the chance to develop expertise in the field of green building and to receive accreditation as green building professionals.

Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED)

USGBC established benchmarks for the LEED Green Building Rating System in 2000. LEED is a framework for assessing building performance and meeting sustainability goals. LEED rating systems are currently available for new construction, existing buildings, commercial interiors, core and shell, schools, retail and homes, and rating systems are in pilot or under development for neighborhood developments and health care. Certification is generally voluntary, but required or under consideration as a requirement for certain buildings in many U.S. localities.[citation needed]

Wood sourcing is a credit under several of the LEED rating systems (New Construction, Existing Buildings, Commercial Interiors). Until now, FSC has been the recognized label for sustainable wood. The USGBC is now considering opening this to other forest certification systems. The proposed benchmarks for acceptable systems would have many requirements for open governance and public participation. However, the technical benchmark for forest management does not give any special protection to old growth forests. It is also silent on clear-cutting and has not requirements for speed and type of reforestation. The proposed forestry benchmarks are open for public comment until September 7th, 2008. They will then go to