The Washington, D.C.-based U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) is a 501 c3 non-profit organization committed to a prosperous and sustainable future for our nation through cost-efficient and energy-saving green buildings..

With a community comprising 78 local affiliates, more than 18,000 member companies and organizations, and more than 140,000 LEED Professional Credential holders, USGBC is the driving force of an industry that is projected to contribute $554 billion to the U.S. gross domestic product from 2009-2013. USGBC leads an unlikely diverse constituency of builders and environmentalists, corporations and nonprofit organizations, elected officials and concerned citizens, and teachers and students.

Buildings in the United States are responsible for 39% of CO2 emissions, 40% of energy consumption, 13% water consumption and 15% of GDP per year, making green building a source of significant economic and environmental opportunity. Greater building efficiency can meet 85% of future U.S. demand for energy, and a national commitment to green building has the potential to generate 2.5 million American jobs.

The annual U.S. market in green building products and services was more than $7 billion in 2005, $12 billion in 2007 and projected to increase to $60 billion by 2010. USGBC supports this effort with the following programs:

LEED® Green Building Rating System™

The LEED green building certification system is the preeminent program for rating the design, construction and operation of green buildings. 35,000 projects are currently participating in the LEED system, comprising over 4.5 billion square feet of construction space in all 50 states and 91 countries.

By using less energy, LEED-certified buildings save money for families, businesses and taxpayers; reduce greenhouse gas emissions; and contribute to a healthier environment for residents, workers and the larger community.

Education

USGBC provides top quality educational programs on green design, construction, and operations for professionals from all sectors of the building industry. Thousands of designers, builders, suppliers, and managers have attended USGBC educational programs to gain practical knowledge, explore new business opportunities, and learn how to create healthier, more productive and more efficient places to live and work. USGBC also hosts Greenbuild, the largest international conference and expo focused on green building.

Greenbuild International Conference & Expo

Greenbuild is the world’s largest conference and exposition dedicated to green building. Launched in 2002, it has quickly become the can’t-miss event for the green building industry. Each year, tens of thousands of professionals from all over the world are drawn to Greenbuild by outstanding educational sessions and speakers, green building tours, special seminars and networking events, and a huge exhibit hall featuring the newest products and technologies.

Advocacy

At every level of government, USGBC is advancing the powerful mission of green buildings for all within a generation. Through talented volunteer corps of green building advocates and seasoned national staff, USGBC is providing policymakers and community leaders with the tools, strategies and resources they need to take leadership positions, foster innovation, and inspire action. From signature national advocacy programs promoting green schools to policy engagement with decision makers in the White House, the U.S. Congress and state houses and city halls across the country, USGBC is accelerating the uptake of policies and initiatives that enable and encourage market transformation toward a sustainable built environment.

Chapter Programs

There are 78 regional USGBC chapters nationwide providing green building resources, education, and networking opportunities in their communities.

Emerging Professionals

USGBC’s Emerging Professionals program provides educational opportunities and resources to young professionals with the goal of integrating these future leaders into the green building movement.

Paul Hawken is an environmentalist, entrepreneur, and author. His work includes starting ecological businesses, writing about the impact of commerce on living systems, and consulting with heads of state and CEOs on economic development, industrial ecology, and environmental policy.

He has appeared on numerous media including the Today Show, Larry King, Talk of the Nation, Charlie Rose, and has been profiled or featured in hundreds of articles including the Wall Street Journal, Newsweek, Washington Post, Business Week, Esquire, and US News and World Report. His writings have appeared in the Harvard Business Review, Resurgence, New Statesman, Inc, Boston Globe, Christian Science Monitor, Mother Jones, Utne Reader, Orion, and many other publications.

He authors articles, op-eds, and peer-reviewed papers, and has written seven books including four national bestsellers The Next Economy (Ballantine 1983), Growing a Business (Simon and Schuster 1987), and The Ecology of Commerce (HarperCollins 1993) and Blessed Unrest (Viking, 2007). The Ecology of Commerce was voted in 1998 as the #1 college text on business and the environment by professors in 67 business schools. Natural Capitalism: Creating the Next Industrial Revolution (Little Brown, September 1999) co-authored with Amory Lovins, has been read and referred to by several heads of state including President Bill Clinton who called it one of the five most important books in the world today. His books have been published in over 50 countries in 27 languages. Growing a Business became the basis of a 17-part PBS series, which Mr. Hawken hosted and produced. The program, which explored the challenges and pitfalls of starting and operating socially responsive companies, was shown on television in 115 countries and watched by over 100 million people.

Paul has founded several companies including some of the first natural food companies in the U.S. that relied solely on sustainable agricultural methods. He presently heads OneSun, LLC, an energy company focused on ultra low-cost solar based on green chemistry and biomimcry; and Highwater Global, a social impact fund that employs the highest standards of corporate social, ethical and environmental behavior.

Paul is founder of the Natural Capital Institute (www.naturalcapital.org), a research organization located in Sausalito, California. The Natural Capital Institute created Wiser Earth (www.WiserEarth.org), an open source networking platform that links NGOs, foundations, business, government, social entrepreneurs, students, organizers, academics, activists, scientists, and citizens concerned about the environment and social justice.

Webcor takes a uniquely innovative and efficient approach to every construction project they lead, a trademark since their inception in 1971. Throughout California, Webcor’s handiwork is hard to miss. Many landmark projects for companies such as California Academy of Science, L.A. Live and Lucasfilm bear Webcor’s distinct mark.

Webcor’s mission statement emphasizes their service philosophy:

Webcor’s highly participatory management team, years of experience, financial integrity and strong relationships with consultants and architects allows Webcor to provide outstanding service to our clients. Building Information Modeling enhances sustainable design, construction and operations for all of their projects.

With over 50 million square feet of projects to date, Webcor’s building experience spans a wide range of areas:

•     • High-tech corporate campuses
•     • Commercial office buildings
•     • High-density residential projects
•     • Luxury hotels and resorts
•     • Health care facilities
•     • Biotech and pharmaceutical facilities
•     • Design build parking structures
•     • Renovation, historic restoration and seismic upgrade
•     • Interior construction

Consistently ranked among the ENR Top 50 General Contractors, Webcor has long been recognized as a leader in commercial construction. However, the best testament to their expertise are their highly satisfied clients who have repeatedly chosen to negotiate their new projects with the firm because of the high quality, low maintenance buildings that Webcor deliver.