The Green Building Initiative (GBI) recently certified its 100th building in the U.S. through the Green Globes environmental assessment and rating system.The Michael E. DeBakey Veterans Affairs (VA) Medical Center, located in Houston, received a rating of three Globes for achievements in energy efficiency and environmental management practices.
This medical center is one of fifteen VA facilities in the U.S. that have received an official Green Globes certification from the GBI.
Reaching the 100 building mark is a significant milestone for the GBI as we continue our work to make green rating tools practical and affordable, said Ward Hubbell, President of the GBI.Projects like this that obtain a Green Globes rating demonstrate to the building community that it is possible to benchmark and improve the environmental performance of an existing building, even with a limited budget and resources.
Since it was introduced and released into the U.S. market in 2005, Green Globes has gained considerable usage and recognition and, despite the downtown in the construction industry, is a widely-accepted and credible standard for commercial green building. Twenty states officially recognize Green Globes through legislation or executive order, as well as the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, the Department of Education and the Department of Interior. Green Globes has also been recognized by the private sector, with insurance companies such as Aon, Liberty Mutual and the Fireman's Fund offering various products and discounts for buildings that achieve an official Green Globes designation.
This latest milestone continues significant momentum for the GBI, which recently released two new personnel certification programs, called Green Globes Professional (GGP) and Green Globes Assessor (GGA).
These programs were launched to further enhance green building professionals' knowledge of sustainable building practices and the Green Globes system, distinguishing them as true green building experts in the field.
