U.S. Green Building Council
A membership-based 501(c)3 nonprofit founded in 1993 that develops green building standards, runs LEED certification and offers education and advocacy for sustainable building practices.
The U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) is a private, membership-based 501(c)3 nonprofit founded in 1993. From its headquarters in Washington, D.C., it works to change how buildings and communities are designed, built and operated, combining green building standards, certification, education and advocacy. The organisation reports more than 4,000 member organizations and describes three decades of activity in the field.
Its principal product is LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design), a rating system that provides a framework for healthy, efficient and cost-effective green buildings and serves as a globally recognised mark of sustainability performance. LEED-certified projects are designed to save more than 120 million metric tons of CO2 emissions. Certification and credentialing for LEED and related programmes are handled by Green Business Certification Inc. (GBCI), a subsidiary of the council.
Beyond rating systems, USGBC's technical work spans building decarbonization, building performance and energy efficiency, community resilience, ecosystem restoration, occupant well-being, and sustainability certification and credentialing. Members are supported through professional education, sustainability credentials, policy advocacy and technical resources intended to advance innovative building practices.
The organisation operates in the United States and globally, serving industries including green building and construction, real estate and development, architecture and engineering, sustainability and environmental services, and public policy. Its stated focus is on market transformation, decarbonization, resilience and occupant well-being, bringing together architects, engineers, developers, policymakers and sustainability professionals.