Green building = environmental responsibility and resource efficiency

Green building, also known as green construction or sustainable building, refers to both the structure and the application of processes that are environmentally responsible and resource-efficient throughout a building’s life-cycle. According to the U.S. Green Building Council, (USGBC) it is the outcome of a design process which focuses on increasing the efficiency of resource use — energy, water, and materials — while reducing a building’s impact on human health and the environment during its life cycle. This cycle includes; site selection, design, construction, operation, maintenance, and eventual disposal or removal.

The USGBC was created in 1993 with a commitment to transforming the way our buildings are designed, constructed and operated through LEED – or Leadership in Energy & Environmental Design, which is a green building certification program that recognizes best-in-class building strategies and practices across the globe. LEED is the top third-party verification system for sustainable structures around the world. The LEED green building program is creating a healthier, higher performing built environment in which to live, learn, work and play. Together with the National Association of Home Builders’ (NAHB) National Green Building Standard for residential building, green building has become an integral part of the design and construction industry.

For the stone industry, it took a major collaboration of natural stone industry businesses and trade associations known as the Natural Stone Council, to assess the stone industry’s environmental footprint. It then published case studies to highlight what environmentally-conscious stone companies are doing to become more “green”. NSC also developed best practices so that companies have a roadmap for “greening” their companies.

Every day USGBC is helping advance spaces that are better for the environment and healthier for us to live, work and play in. Through their community network, continuous collaboration with industry experts, market research publications and LEED professional credentials, USGBC remains a key driving force in the green building sector.

Monarch Stone International is proud to be a member of the USGBC. As a natural stone supplier and consultant, we are able to provide consumers and professionals with natural stone options that will meet green building standards and LEED criteria.

Resources: US Green Building Council, Natural Stone Council