GBCI Canada launched to promote more new green building ventures

OTTAWA — Green Business Certification Inc. (GBCI) and the Canada Green Building Council (CaGBC) have announced the launch of a joint venture called GBCI Canada, intended to promote new ventures in green building.

GBCI Canada will perform such functions as validating enhanced building performance and promoting emissions reductions, operational savings and human health benefits, said a Feb. 27 statement.

GBCI will administer project certifications within the framework of the LEED green building rating systems, as well as the WELL Building Standard, the Sustainable SITES Initiative for land use, Parksmart for parking structures, TRUE Zero Waste, the Investor Confidence Project (ICP) for energy efficiency retrofits and the GRESB benchmark, which is used by institutional investors to improve the sustainability performance of the global property sector.

GBCI Canada will be led by CaGBC president and CEO Thomas Mueller, who will manage both organizations.

“The emergence of Canada’s low-carbon economy has greatly accelerated progress toward achieving CaGBC’s longstanding mission of mass market transformation,” said Mueller in the statement.

“With over a decade of LEED experience, the Canadian industry is well positioned to work toward more energy efficient and low-carbon buildings, as well as health and wellness, and zero waste goals. GBCI Canada has been established to support industry efforts to scale up by providing expert service and online delivery platforms for a broader suite of complementary green building standards.”

“GBCI Canada’s charge is to accelerate green building and business market transformation,” said Mahesh Ramanujam, president and CEO of GBCI.

“CaGBC has been a leader in the global green building movement. With this new venture, we will be able to take it to the next level with additional GBCI programs that can help the Canadian market realize the economic and environmental benefits associated with green building, as well as improve quality of life for residents.”