Michelle Moore, senior vice president, policy and public affairs for USGBC, spoke before Chairman Edward J. Markey (D-Mass.) and the Select Committee on Energy Independence and Global Warming, and detailed the impact of the built environment on the natural environment, economy and health and productivity of building users. Moore’s testimony stressed the importance of green building practices not only in new construction but through smart retrofit of existing building stock, with a focus on schools, and the role that the LEED green building certification program plays in driving the reduction of energy consumption and carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions.
“Buildings are the single largest contributor to carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions, accounting for 39% of emissions in the U.S. Of those buildings, school buildings represent the largest construction sector in the country and 20% of America goes to school every day,” said Moore.