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What are Green Building Councils (GBCs)? What are regional GBC networks? How can I support my local GBC? What is a green building rating system? Where can I get training for a particular rating system? Does WorldGBC promote a specific rating system? What types of partnerships does WorldGBC engage in? What are some of the benefits of partnering with WorldGBC? How do I become a WorldGBC partner? What are the environmental benefits of green buildings? What other international organizations do work related to green building?
What are Green Building Councils (GBCs)? Green Building Councils are member-based organizations that partner with industry and government in the transformation of their building industries towards sustainability through the adoption of green building practices. GBCs are often involved in influencing governmental policy, sharing knowledge and information, organizing events and workshops, developing or adapting rating tools to a particular market, and creating green building networks across the different elements of the building industry. On the ground in nearly 70 countries, GBCs create change in their local markets as a way to globalize environmentally and socially responsible building practices.
What are regional GBC networks? The WorldGBC has four regional networks, representing Europe, Asia Pacific, Africa and the Americas. Regional networks bring GBCs together to provide leadership, drive common initiatives and improve knowledge sharing, communication and relationships. How do get in contact with my local GBC or Chapter? Browse through our Directory of Councils to see if there is a GBC in your country of residence. To get in contact with your local GBC, please visit their website. If you would like to start a GBC in your country, please read about the council development process to learn about the steps involved in establishing a GBC.
How can I support my local GBC? There are numerous ways in which you can support your local GBC. You could become a member of your local GBC or chapter (visit their website for membership details), sponsor an event, learn about partnership opportunities, and/or assist them with local initiatives and projects. Please contact your local GBC to inquire about how you can get involved.
What is a green building rating system? A green building rating system or certification tool serves to provide a standard against which buildings with different levels of environmental design and efficiency can be compared. The primary objective of these mechanisms has been to stimulate market demand for buildings with improved environmental performance. An underlying premise is that if the market is provided with improved information and mechanisms, discerning clients can and will provide leadership in environmental responsibility and others will follow suit to remain competitive. Rating systems and labelling programs are considered one of the most potent and effective means to both improve the performance of buildings and transform market expectations and demand.
Where can I get training for a particular rating system? To find out about how to get training towards the rating system that is commonly used in your country, please visit the website of your local Green Building Council.
Does WorldGBC promote a specific rating system? No, WorldGBC supports member councils' efforts to create/adopt and implement market-based green building rating systems. However we maintain a neutral position on these rating systems, and encourage our councils to move forward with a system that suits their local and regional conditions.
If your country does not already have an established GBC and you would like to partake in the founding of one, please read about the council development process to learn about the various steps involved. Note: It is important to note that GBCs are open and inclusive organizations that cannot be owned by any one group or individual. Council founding groups can receive acknowledgement for initiating the beginning steps of establishing a council, but they are in effect founding an organization for their country and for other green building visionaries.
Generally, only those GBCs that are located in geographically disperse countries have chapters. To learn more about how to start a Chapter within your country of residence, please contact your local GBC. If your country does not have an established GBC, please read about the council development process to learn about the various steps involved.
What types of partnerships does WorldGBC engage in? WorldGBC has partnered with such global leaders in the construction industry as McGraw-Hill Construction and Colliers. Secretariat supporters include the Toronto and Region Conservation Authority, the Region of Peel, and the Government of Ontario (Canada). WorldGBC has also partnered with York University and the Ontario Power Authority towards developing an international university program for undergraduate students interested in gaining education and work experience in the field of green building. For organizations seeking to demonstrate their leadership in the green building arena and forging alliance with GBCs worldwide, the WorldGBC has partnership opportunities available.
What are some of the benefits of partnering with WorldGBC? Benefits of partnering with WorldGBC include gaining access to an established global network of green building councils, practitioners, and organizations, co-authoring market research reports related to green building, and driving market transformation by assisting with the development of new GBCs.
How do I become a WorldGBC partner? Please contact This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it , WorldGBC CEO, to inquire about partnership and sponsorship opportunities with WorldGBC.
What are the environmental benefits of green buildings? Buildings have been shown to produce more than 40% of global carbon dioxide emissions, an important green house gas (GHG) that contributes to global climate change. Green buildings can reduce carbon dioxide emissions by 35%, compared to traditional buildings. Furthermore, green buildings can reduce energy use by 30-50%, reduce waste output by 70%, and reduce water usage by 40%. What other international organizations do work related to green building? Other organizations include the International Initiative for Sustainable Built Environment (iiSBE), United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP)'s Sustainable Building Construction Initiative (SBCI), and the Sustainable Buildings Alliance (SBA).
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