At Green Building Initiative (GBI), we are dedicated to creating a future with sustainable, healthy, and resilient buildings for all, a vision we share with our community. GBI, believes in a true consensus and transparent process for the creation and continuous maintenance of our standards, implemented as Green Globes certification programs. To ensure that our standards align with industry best practices, GBI became an ANSI-approved standards-developing organization nearly twenty years ago in 2005. As part of this process, we work with subject matter expert (SME) volunteers to develop Green Globes programs that are open, unbiased, and all-encompassing. This collaborative effort distinguishes GBI as a leader in sustainability standards and sets Green Globes apart from other building rating systems.
ANSI accreditation ensures that the process used by GBI to develop our sustainable building standards meets rigorous criteria for openness, balance, consensus, and due process. Our SME volunteers have diverse interests and perspectives, and their input drives the development of GBI’s comprehensive and innovative certification programs.
Volunteers on GBI’s standards development process may elect to serve on a subcommittee, or the Consensus Body (all Consensus Body members are asked to sit on at least one subcommittee). Subcommittee members review proposed revisions to specific assessment areas, such as Water, Energy, or Materials. For example, the Water Subcommittee is composed of water subject matter experts who review proposed changes to topics such as irrigation, water fixtures, and cooling towers. Serving on a subcommittee is a great fit for those with deep expertise in a specific area. Consensus Body members, on the other hand, review all proposed changes to the standard. This role requires a broader understanding of diverse topics, as they have the final say on the criteria for each environmental assessment area within the published standard. Whether a volunteer serves on a subcommittee or on the Consensus Body, their contributions directly influence sustainable building, construction, and operational practices.
Volunteers can expect a time commitment of 1-3 meetings per year for each group joined with a membership commitment of two years. Volunteers are expected to attend most meetings, consider science-based strategies, and provide input. There may also be opportunities to contribute additional time by joining special task groups or conducting research on a specific topic to inform other members.
Michael Lehman, a 10-year volunteer who has served on the Consensus Body for New Construction, and Chair of the Indoor Environment Subcommittee shares, “Volunteering with GBI has been wonderful as I have been able to collaborate with some of the leading experts across all construction and design industry disciplines to create a standard that is making a more healthy and sustainable world for all.”
Volunteering with GBI is a unique opportunity to participate in the evolution of sustainable building practices, expand your professional network, and realize the direct impact of your contribution in future iterations of Green Globes certification programs. The additional Energy Consumption Pathways introduced in Green Globes for New Construction 2024 were the direct result of extensive discussions and fine-tuning by the Energy Subcommittee and Consensus Body. These pathways will increase accessibility of certification for more buildings and enhance the assessment process, demonstrating the clear impacts of volunteer contributions.
For more information on how to get involved, visit our Standards Development page or complete the application online for the Consensus Body or a Subcommittee. The GBI Standards and Rules Committee will be reviewing applications this fall. Applicants will receive notification of being selected with information on their first meeting in October or November.
Leave a Reply
You must be logged in to post a comment.