Portland, Ore. – The Green Building Initiative, Inc. (GBI) is pleased to announce the inclusion of Green Globes® certification in Fairfax County, Virginia’s Green Building Recognition Program. Launched by the Department of Land Development Services (LDS), this voluntary program recognizes designers and contractors who include sustainability elements into new construction commercial and residential projects. GBI’s Green Globes, which includes third-party verification by a credentialed assessor, is named as a qualifying certification for the program.
“We applaud Fairfax County’s efforts to create an open market with options for sustainability certification,” said Vicki Worden, GBI President & CEO. “Green Globes is a collaborative and transparent certification system that makes buildings healthy places to live and work while improving their environmental sustainability and resilience. This certification applies to all types of commercial buildings and directly supports the County’s objective for a sustainable built environment.”
To date, GBI has certified over 2.6 million square feet in Fairfax County and 12.5 million square feet in the Commonwealth of Virginia. This new Green Building Recognition Program supports Virginia’s sustainable building objectives, including those outlined in the 2021 High Performance Building Act. This act requires certification with either Green Globes or LEED for any executive branch, agency or institution entering the design phase for the construction of a new building greater than 5,000 gross square feet or the renovation of a building where the renovation cost exceeds 50% of the building value.
GBI’s reputation for excellence has been earned by applying a tailored approach to certification. GBI pairs project teams with highly qualified third-party assessors from the earliest stages of their efforts through onsite assessment and walk-through and delivery of a customized final certification report. All assessors have significant experience in the design and operation of sustainable buildings.
GBI is pleased to offer education and support to interested A/E/C firms, sustainability consultants and building owners pursuing Green Globes certification. Please contact info@thegbi.org to schedule a meeting or presentation.
To review the City of Fairfax’s Green Building Recognition Program, click here.
MEDIA CONTACT | Megan Baker, Associate VP, Engagement, megan@thegbi.org, (971) 256-7174