Each year the United States Green Building Council (USGBC) teams up with Informa to put on the largest green building conference in the world, with the goal of fostering a broader interest in sustainable built environments. This year, they landed in Chicago, where thousands of attendees gathered to be inspired, and learn about the developments in green building standards and check out the latest trends from the more than 600 vendors.
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The theme for this year’s Greenbuild was Human X Nature, representing how the green building movement embraces all of humanity by making sustainable buildings and environments accessible to everyone while benefitting the natural environment all around us.
During the Opening Plenary, human rights lawyer and humanitarian Amal Clooney delivered an impactful keynote that discussed her work and reminded attendees the role the green building community plays in addressing today’s challenges: “Despite [these] challenges, I am optimistic. Because all around the world I see that even where governments fall behind, individuals and companies can make a difference,” said Clooney.
USGBC’s President and CEO Mahesh Ramanujam also gave powerful remarks highlighting plans for the future and USGBC’s role in creating a new living standard for all people: “In the past, we have delivered on our promises of certifications, signifying high quality spaces in which we can live and work,” said Ramanujam. “Now, by harnessing the power of our partnerships with companies and organizations the world over, we will explore creating a new campaign – a Living Standard that indicates that an environment is healthy and safe for all who inhabit it – from buildings, to communities, to cities, to entire nations. Because a higher Living Standard is what every person on the planet deserves.”
Several programmatic updates to the LEED green building rating system were announced throughout the week including:
- LEED Transit Rating System – USGBC released LEED green building certification standards for new transit stations, which were also announced during Greenbuild India, also taking place last week. LEED Transit was developed with valuable input from the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation in India (DMRC), Shanghai Shentong Metro Group Co. Ltd. for China (Shentong), and Shanghai Green City Architectural Technology Co., Ltd. With LEED Transit, transit owners can reduce their environmental footprint, while also engaging riders on the importance of sustainability and the opportunity the public transportation sector has in minimizing greenhouse gas emissions.
- LEED Zero Certification – USGBC officially introduced a new LEED Zero certification offering. The new program recognizes buildings or spaces operating with net zero carbon emissions from energy consumption and occupant transportation to carbon emissions avoided or offset over a period of 12 months. LEED projects can achieve LEED Zero certification when they demonstrate any or one of the following: net zero carbon emissions, net zero energy use, net zero water use or net zero waste.
- Integration of STAR and LEED for Cities and LEED for Communities – It was announced that the STAR Community Rating System, which offers certification for sustainable communities, has been fully integrated into USGBC’s LEED for Cities and LEED for Communities programs, to help advance sustainable cities and communities worldwide. There are currently 75 cities and communities that have achieved STAR certification and 20 additional cities and communities that are seeking STAR certification. All of these localities will transfer into the family of LEED for Cities and LEED for Communities.
- LEED Recertification – USGBC announced that it will begin offering LEED recertification. All LEED projects – past, present and future – are now eligible for recertification by providing 12 months of data, powered by Arc, that shows consistent or improved performance, using the most recent version of the LEED rating system. This recertification will be valid for three years and is an important step in ensuring that a green building is operating the way it was intended.
The week of Greenbuild also included green building tours around Chicago; three day-long immersive summits; the sold-out Women in Green luncheon; recognition of sustainability all-stars at the Leadership Awards Reception including the announcement of 25 new LEED Fellows and this year’s USGBC Leadership Award recipients; a 600-vendor expo hall that featured a Net Zero Zone and dozens of inspiring signature events and education sessions. Greenbuild concluded with San Juan, Puerto Rico Mayor Carmen Yulin Cruz and Mayor of Chicago Rahm Emanuel, who was recognized by USGBC for the City of Chicago’s LEED Platinum certification.
Greenbuild 2019 will take place Nov. 20-22 in Atlanta, Ga. at the Georgia World Congress Center. The call for proposals will open in December 2018.