Driving the development of green buildings

For 30 years, USGBC has helped transform buildings and communities into healthy, vibrant and sustainable spaces that improve our quality of life. With the engagement of our members, we have become a leading public policy voice for better buildings, urging local, state and federal governments to prioritize policies and investments that stimulate green building activity. 

Our approach to policy

• USGBC’s policy platform reflects our holistic approach to green buildings, prioritizing outcomes that improve public health, create more equitable communities, strengthen resilience, support healthy ecosystems – and accelerate buildings as a foundational solution to the deepening climate crisis. 
• Homes and buildings account for 38% of U.S. total energy consumption and 36% of energy-related carbon emissions including direct combustion and power use. Decarbonizing the sector requires bold policies and investments supporting a host of approaches, from improved energy efficiency to low-embodied-carbon construction to beneficial electrification.
• USGBC actively engages with policymakers and allies on key opportunities for these critical building decarbonization policies and for leveraging LEED’s holistic and green building strategies to meet important goals for biodiversity and the environment, resource conservation and economic savings, and resilience. 
• We work with federal, state, and local policymakers on both sides of the aisle, as well as a broad range of agencies. We are also active in global engagements such as the annual UN Climate Change Conference (COP). 
• We help educate our members and building industry stakeholders about policy developments that affect green building and collaborate with volunteers and allies for optimum impact, particularly through our advocacy working group. 
• Through technical assistance, testimony, written comments, sign-on letters, meetings with policymakers, and expert articles and resources, we are working every day to advance green buildings through policy.