USGBC, American Chemistry Council join forces to advance LEED

The U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) and the American Chemistry Council (ACC) announced a new initiative designed to ensure the use of sustainable and environmentally protective products in buildings by applying technical and science-based approaches to the LEED green building program. This new initiative acknowledges USGBC’s success in leading the transformation of the built environment and sets up a pathway to take advantage of the materials science expertise of ACC and its members.

“USGBC and ACC share the goal of advancing sustainability in the built environment, and we will work together to take advantage of our collective strength and experience,” said Rick Fedrizzi, president, CEO and founding chair, USGBC. “The looming impacts of climate change and the possibilities of improving human health and wellbeing favor collaboration and engagement as key strategies. The goal is forward progress.”

ACC President and CEO Cal Dooley noted, “Modern energy efficiency gains, building safety advances and carbon footprint reductions would not be possible without the products of chemistry. From windows to insulation, adhesives to flooring, chemistry provides solutions that enable the energy efficient and sustainable buildings that consumers expect in today’s world.

By combining USGBC, a leader of the green building movement, with the scientific know-how of ACC, we can develop a path to stronger, science-based standards that achieve measurable progress in sustainability.”

LEED is regularly updated through a rigorous development process that includes public comments, technical review and balloting. USGBC and ACC will work within that framework to incorporate state-of-the-art safety, sustainability and life-cycle based approaches to LEED. LEED has facilitated advances in building technologies, integrated design and operating practices, as well as the tremendous growth of the green building sector, which supports or creates 7.9 million jobs across all 50 states and contributes $554 billion to the U.S. economy annually.

The American business of chemistry employs nearly 800,000 Americans and supports nearly 25 percent of the U.S. GDP. Chemistry-based plastic building and construction materials saved 467.2 trillion BTUs of energy over alternative construction materials – enough energy saved over the course of a year to meet the average annual energy needs of 4.6 million U.S. households. Energy savings made possible by innovations in chemistry in homes in the U.S. prevented nearly 283 million tons of CO2 emissions in 2010—equivalent to the greenhouse gas emissions of 50 million passenger vehicles.

In January, Amazon unveiled plans to build a physical fashion store concept, dubbed Amazon Style, in Los Angeles. The e-commerce giant says the store will offer “together the best of shopping on Amazon–great prices, selection, and convenience–with an all new shopping experience built to inspire.”

Photo courtesy New Millennium Building Systems

Optimized steel deck design

This course provides an overview of structural steel deck design and the ways to improve building performance and to reduce total-project costs.

Laboratories | Jan 28, 2022

3 must-know strategies for developers in today’s life sciences industry

While the life sciences industry had been steadily growing, this growth exploded when the pandemic arrived—and there is no indication that this lightning-fast pace will slow down any time soon.

Cultural Facilities | Jan 27, 2022

Growth in content providers creates new demand for soundstage facilities

Relativity Architects' Partner Tima Bell discusses how the explosion in content providers has outpaced the availability of TV and film production soundstages in North America and Europe.

On-demand webinar: Open plenum design with baffles

With their vast, airy aesthetics, open-plan interiors offer a feel that can inspire and support occupants. But they can also create acoustical challenges that negate the effects of all that beauty. Baffles are an ideal ceiling design solution that address both aesthetics and performance.

Financial services is one of the sectors that Gensler examines in its Design Forecast for 2022. Images: Gensler

Architects | Jan 27, 2022

Gensler’s latest design forecast is also a call to action

The firm urges the AEC industry to take the lead in creating a fairer, cleaner built environment that faces many obstacles.

Architects | Jan 26, 2022

HMC Architects Welcomes New Director of Sustainability

The Sacramento studio of leading national architecture and design firm HMC Architects has announced the appointment of new Director of Sustainability Jennifer Wehling, who joined in December

2022 construction forecast: Healthcare, retail, industrial sectors to lead a ‘healthy rebound’ for nonresidential construction

Market Data | Jan 26, 2022

2022 construction forecast: Healthcare, retail, industrial sectors to lead ‘healthy rebound’ for nonresidential construction

A panel of construction industry economists forecasts 5.4 percent growth for the nonresidential building sector in 2022, and a 6.1 percent bump in 2023.

Currently Reading

USGBC, American Chemistry Council join forces to advance LEED

Tags

Architects | Feb 2, 2022

Architects | Jan 31, 2022

Retail Centers | Jan 31, 2022

Sponsored | BD+C University Course | Jan 30, 2022

Laboratories | Jan 28, 2022

Cultural Facilities | Jan 27, 2022

Sponsored | Webinar | Jan 27, 2022

Architects | Jan 27, 2022

Architects | Jan 26, 2022

Market Data | Jan 26, 2022

Most Popular Content

Magazine Subscription

Get our Newsletters

Follow BD+C: