U.S. Green Building Council - U.S. Market Insights

Exciting milestone for LEED v5 📣 U.S. Green Building Council was thrilled to host the first LEED v5 workshop on the east coast in collaboration with Green Building United and Brandywine Realty Trust in Philadelphia, PA this week! We had an incredible turnout of local teams ready to roll up their sleeves, ask tough questions, and dive deep into the technical content. This energy and engagement are exactly what we need as we move toward the next version of LEED. We’re excited to begin working with these members to adopt LEED v5, the newest version of the rating system designed to drive even greater impact. And this is just the beginning, keep an eye out in 2026 for additional LEED v5 workshops coming to a market near you! 🗓️ If you’re interested in learning more or getting involved, reach out to me directly! Thanks to all who joined us! Andrew Sigal, Dom McGraw, Rich Freeh, Larissa McFall, Assoc. AIA, NOMA, LEED Green Associate, Ryan O'Neill, The Sheward Partnership, LLC, Re:Vision Architecture, Ronald J. Becker, CRX, CSM, Fitwel Ambassador #LEEDv5 #USGBC #Leadership

Sustainability isn’t just an environmental goal, it’s a smart financial strategy. At our recent Green Finance Forum in Houston (#LEED certified city), we explored how innovative tools like green loans, energy-efficient mortgages, and tax incentives can do more than reduce emissions... they can lower costs, unlock capital, and boost asset value. We also had the privilege of touring Norton Rose Fulbright Tower, where the event was hosted on its stunning top floor, bringing the conversation to life in a space that exemplifies high-performance design. Key takeaways: ~ Green finance is growing fast: Sustainability-linked loans (+40% YoY), green bonds (~50% of sustainable debt), and green mortgages are driving change. ~ Certification pays: LEED assets command 5–11% higher value and reduce risk, operating costs, and improve credit ratings. ~ Start early, think lifecycle: Integrated design saves money, while strategies like commissioning, passive-first design, and high-performing HVAC deliver long-term ROI. ~ Existing buildings matter: LEED O+M pathways and phased upgrades unlock performance without major capital outlays. ~ Resilience & incentives: Risk mitigation and tools like 179D deductions and PACE financing make sustainability a smart business case. For a deeper dive, check out the USGBC Green Building & Sustainable Finance report here: https://lnkd.in/g85Zk8By A big thank you to our hosts, sponsors, speakers, partners, and all who played a role in making this event a success! Aidee Olmos | Abby Massey, PE, LEED AP | Brian Adams | Ryan Snow | Brandon D. Hendricks | Umesh Atre | Carolina Martinez Gallegos | Tia Metzger (She/Her/Hers) | Skanska | Energy Cost Solutions Group, LLC | Emerald Built Environments, A Crete United Company | #ThermaShell | AIA Houston | Houston Building Owners and Managers Association (Houston BOMA) | USGBC Texas | U.S. Green Building Council | U.S. Green Building Council - U.S. Market Insights | #GreenFinance | #SustainableBuilding #LEED | #ClimateAction | #SustainabilityLinkedLoans | #GreenBonds | #LEEDPlatinum | #WELLPlatinum

Announcement: Our USGBC National Capital Region Building Transformation Forum: Unlocking the Business Value of Circularity & Materials hosted at the Amazon HQ2 in Arlington, Virginia was a tremendous success! We explored how circular strategies can drive ROI, improve health outcomes, mitigate risk, and maximize material lifecycle value. ✅ Keynote: Sarah Dimson-Tararuj, The Climate Pledge-Amazon, who shared their commitment to reach net-zero carbon emissions by 2040, bringing the world’s top companies together to accelerate joint action, cross-sector collaboration, and responsible change. ❇️ Panel: This panel explored how circular economy principles — including materials lifecycle planning, adaptive reuse, clean supply chains, and renewable energy integration — can unlock measurable benefits for organizations and communities. ✅Liz Resenic, Gensler- Moderator ✅Tanya Eagle, JLL ✅ Melanie Mayo-Rodgers, SFP, FMP, U.S. Green Building Council ✅ Sonia Zamora, CPM®, RPA, WELL AP, LEED Green Associate, Akridge ❇️ Fireside Chat: Building Circular: Innovation & Materials An engaging fireside chat with Fernando Arias, HITT Contracting Inc. explored bold approaches to circularity and materials innovation. ❇️ TRUE Zero Waste Project Showcase ✅ Celeste McMickle, U.S. Green Building Council A look into the TRUE rating system. Participants will be given the tools to transform their waste management plan to a commodity resource, zero waste-based plan to create a circular economy locally and globally. Focus will be on the key components of the TRUE Rating System. ❇️ Building Tour: An exclusive guided tour of Amazon’s HQ2 in Northern Virginia, a landmark LEED v4 BD+C Platinum project redefining workplace design, sustainability, and urban integration. Thank you to our sponsor and host, The Climate Pledge, and to our sponsors, HITT Contracting Inc., HOK, Ecobuild, Sol design + consulting and our Market Leadership Advisory Board and committee and volunteer members Impact like this would not be possible without the support of our National Capital Region Annual Sponsors: https://lnkd.in/eNDJgAmA whose continued support makes these meaningful conversations and connections possible! #CircularEconomy #USGBCNCR Ryan Snow, Leigh DeWitte, Monique Owens, Jennifer Wellman-Andryuk, Evelīna Bantauska, Lily Hendricks, Linda Latrobe, Martin Silber, MBA, CPA, Neha Vyas, Anna Gayle Henry, Louisa Rettew, Kimberly Weiser, Valencia Wilson,Lina Daniel

💚 What an inspiring day at USGBC Michigan’s Building Transformation Forum—made even better by a morning visit to the Detroit Zoo to explore their new Discovery Trails project pursuing SITES certification! The Forum centered on Resilience in the Built Environment, highlighting strategies for a changing climate, the latest tools like #LEED v5 and #SITES, and community-driven initiatives creating measurable impact. We were energized by insights from Shana Weber (University of Michigan) on resilience strategies; updates on new resources and tools from Rhiannon Jacobsen, Patrick Judd, and myself; and a dynamic fireside chat with Rachel Ware, Andy McDowell and Kelsey Groesbeck, PE, LFA discussing sustainability leadership at the Detroit Zoological Society and John Ball Zoo. We also heard inspiring updates on Ann Arbor’s citywide sustainability efforts from Jan Culbertson, Melissa (Missy) Stults and Shoshannah Lenski, and gained valuable LEED project insights from Kevin Morgan, Zac VanOverbeke and Brittany Fiema, PE. 👏 Huge thanks to everyone who joined us, to our generous host—the University of Michigan —to our dedicated volunteers, and to our fantastic sponsors: Michigan Solar Solutions, LLC, NORR, Turner Construction Company, AECOM, Catalyst Partners, and Kroger Fresh Fare for making this day possible. #greenbuilding #sustainability #resilience #leadership #Michigan #LEEDv5 Harold Wilcox III, Benjamin Glendening CEM, BOC II, Edna Lorenz, PE, CEM, LEED AP, Laura Long, LEED AP, GGP, NOMA, Samantha Waatti, AIA, NCARB, MBA, Sarah VandenHeede, MaryEllen Etienne, Cheryl B., Najahyia Chinchilla, Margaret Matta AIA, LEED AP, Rawand Aqel, Steven Gunther, PE, LEED Green Associate, Marcus Jones, M.S., M.UP, Vito Rosolino

November has been a whirlwind of opportunities to connect, collaborate, and celebrate the incredible momentum building across Florida. I’m grateful for the chance to engage with so many leaders who are shaping a more resilient, energy-efficient, and future-ready built environment. Thank you to everyone who led and engaged on our Tampa Building Transformation Forum! Your leadership and your expertise are driving Florida's future into a more resilient and equitable future. Tampa International Airport (TPA) Eric Caplan City of Tampa Jane Castor Carl Camis Rosado, MEM Sarasota County Government Sara Kane Monte Hilleman Adriana Rojas HOK Sustainable Investment Group (SIG) - a TÜV SÜD America Company EXP Workscapes, Inc. PACE Equity, LLC Gensler Emerald Built Environments, A Crete United Company Alexandra Bull Climate First Bank Chris Castro Devesh N. Abby Massey, PE, LEED AP Vatsal Bhatt, PhD Kendall Turner, Assoc. AIA, LEED AP Tampa Bay Regional Planning Council ULI Tampa Bay Lee Lowry The Sustany Foundation CREW Tampa Bay Circuit Ryan Snow Alexis Barry, LEED AP, WELL AP, SITES AP, TRUE Advisor U.S. Green Building Council U.S. Green Building Council - U.S. Market Insights #leedv5 #leedforcommunities #resilience #florida #tampa