The U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC), headquartered in Washington, D.C., USA, and the New Buildings Institute (NBI), headquartered in Portland, Oregon, USA, have signed a new Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) that formalizes the relationship between the two organizations. Signed on May 14, the MoU sets parameters on how USGBC and NBI will promote the shared interests of their respective memberships.
Founded in 1993, USGBC is a nonprofit, membership-based organization that focuses on cost efficiency and sustainability in building design, construction, and operation. NBI is a nonprofit organization founded in 1997 that works to improve the energy performance of, as well as lower carbon emissions from, commercial buildings.
The agreement between the two organizations is expected to achieve the following: enable building industry professionals to deliver high-performance, energy efficient buildings; increase the number of zero (and net zero) energy and zero emissions buildings; extend adoption of stretch energy codes, as well as improve code compliance and enforcement; and enhance social equality, public health and resilience associated with energy and energy systems.
“Our partnership with USGBC is paramount to moving the market toward a new energy future for the built environment that is low-energy and low-emissions,” says NBI CEO Ralph DiNola. “This MoU will focus our efforts and help us to plan our successful collaboration into the future and significantly increase our impact.”
“USGBC and NBI missions are closely aligned, which is reflected in our collective efforts to advance zero energy buildings and support grid integration over the past five years,” says Mahesh Ramanujam, USGBC president and CEO. “We believe that net zero is a powerful target that will move the entire industry forward, and we are excited to continue to accelerate our partnership to collectively build a more sustainable, regenerative future and enhance the health and wellbeing for not only building occupants, but all of humanity.”
Source: New Buildings Institute, www.newbuildings.org.