The United Nations presented its Champions of the Earth Award to the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC). The award, which is usually received by an individual, was won by USGBC for its contribution to sustainable building through its LEED green building rating system.
“To the U.S. Green Building Council and to me, this award, which I am incredibly honored to receive from the United Nations Environment Programme, is more than a recognition of accomplishment. We see it as a signal that the sustainability of buildings is increasingly being treated as a critical environmental and socio-economic issue, not just in the U.S. but across the world,” said Rick Fedrizzi, CEO and founding chair of USGBC.