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General Programs
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California's Green Building Code
California's adoption of a new Green Building Code, the first state in the nation to do so, will not derail projects already under construction, according to code experts. But the move is certainly part of an overall shift toward sustainable development, and may encourage other jurisdictions to follow suit. The new code calls for a 20 percent improvement in water use efficiency, a 50 percent increase in water conservation, and a 15 percent reduction in energy consumption in all new construction. The code is voluntary until 2010, when all new construction must comply. |
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Consumer Reports - Eco-Labels
As the popularity of green product claims continues to grow, it's important to know which claims you can trust and which ones you can't. The site's search tools allows users to get expert evaluation of labels on food, wood, personal care products and household cleaners. Users may search by product, category, or certifier, and easily compare labels using provided report cards. |
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EcoSmart Ink
Established by Braden Sutphin, EcoSmart Ink certification is offered based on the use of its products-developed using environmentally friendly ingredients and specially designed production measures-following specific standardized criteria. These include the measurement of Volatile Organic Compounds, renewable resource content, petroleum distillates, and Council of Northeast Governors Coalition regulations for packaging. |
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Energy Star
ENERGY STAR is a joint program of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the U.S. Department of Energy helping to save money and protect the environment through energy efficient products and practices. Results are already adding up. Americans, with the help of ENERGY STAR, saved enough energy in 2007 alone to avoid greenhouse gas emissions equivalent to those from 27 million cars-all while saving $16 billion on their utility bills. Programs include policies and practices for the home and for businesses. |
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Forest Stewardship Council
FSC accredited, independent, "third-party" certification bodies or "certifiers" certify forests. They assess forest management using the FSC principles, criteria, and standards, each certifier uses their own evaluative process. This allows FSC to remain outside of the assessment process, and supports the integrity of the standard, and of the FSC system. Certifiers evaluate both forest management activities (forest certification) and tracking of forest products (chain-of-custody certification). There are 12 FSC-accredited certifiers around the globe. |
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LEED 2009
The Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Green Building Rating System is a voluntary, consensus-based national rating system for developing high-performance, sustainable buildings. LEED addresses all building types and emphasizes state-of-the-art strategies in five areas: sustainable site development, water savings, energy efficiency, materials and resources selection, and indoor environmental quality. |
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U.S. Green Building Council
The U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) is a 501(c)(3) non profit organization that certifies sustainable businesses, homes, hospitals, schools, and neighborhoods. USGBC is dedicated to expanding green building practices and education, and its LEED® (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) Green Building Rating System&trade . |
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