USGBC Commits More Funding to Research

MarchApril 2008
Industry News

USGBC Commits Additional Funding to Green Building Research

The U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) has issued $1 million in funding – doubling its commitment – for green building research grants to be awarded this year. Of this additional funding, half of it will be allocated for K-12 school facility research related to occupant impacts, the organization says.

“Our pledge to invest in research is a reflection of USGBC’s commitment to its vision of a sustainable built environment within a generation,” said Rick Fedrizzi, president, CEO and founding chair of USGBC. “The industry needs to take giant steps forward in design, construction, renovation and operation practices to realize large-scale improvements to health and environmental conditions in this timeframe. Our board has identified research as a key strategy for accomplishing that goal, and the research grant fund allows us to take immediate action while encouraging other funders to increase their own research commitments.”

Through its publication, “Green Building Research Funding: An Assessment of Current Activity in the United States,” establishes a need for “a vast increase in research funding and activity.” Thus, the USGBC’s Research Committee has sought broad input to create a National Green Building Research Agenda to focus attention on increasing research capacity and activity. Questions about the research fund can be e-mailed to research@committees.usgbc.org. MD