Google "sustainable building" or "green building" and the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) is among the top links that result. But perhaps Google itself belongs near the front. Today, the USGBC announced a $3 million grant from Google that will aim to transform the building materials industry and create healthier indoor environments.
The Google grant will enable USGBC to pursue a number of initiatives. The grant supports three related efforts: research on building materials and their effect on health, development of new building transparency tools, and encouraging conversation between industry stakeholders.
"The idea for this project emerged from our own work at Google, where we're committed to creating the healthiest work environments possible that help employees perform at their best," says Anthony Ravitz, Google Green Team lead, in a release. "USGBC has a deep background in spearheading research, developing a rating system spanning the globe and engaging with the many stakeholders in the building industry, making them the perfect partner to help spur real change on the healthy materials front."
USGBC will pursue these new initiatives over the next 2 years.
"Working with Google enables us to broaden our efforts in the materials industry as we prepare for the next version of the LEED green building program, LEED v4," says USGBC president Rick Fedrizzi said in a release.
USGBC announced the grant today at its annual Greenbuild International Conference and Expo.
