U.S. Green Building Council, WELL Building Institute streamline green building rating process

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The U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC), Green Business Certification Inc. (GBCI) and the International WELL Building Institute (IWBI) on Tuesday announced a streamlined process for projects pursuing LEED green building certifications and the WELL Building Standard.

The process streamlines documentation for projects that seek both certifications at once or have already earned one certification and are looking to add the other, USGBC officials said.

Human health is foundational to LEED and is the goal of each of the 10 concepts within the WELL Building Standard, USGBC and GBCI President and CEO Peter Templeton.

“USGBC’s partnership with IWBI builds upon our shared commitment to driving positive health outcomes across the built environment. Improving human health has been a foundational component of LEED since its inception and is the goal of each of the 10 concepts within the WELL Building Standard. By creating a streamlined process for LEED and WELL certification, we are encouraging every building owner and project team to adopt best practices that maximize benefits to occupant and community health,” Templeton said in a statement.

The new pathway will help projects pursuing LEED and WELL gold standard certifications and strengthen the synergies between the two, IWBI President and CEO Rachel Hodgdon said.

“Organizations are looking for actionable, efficient strategies to demonstrate meaningful impact on matters of climate change and human health. This new pathway strengthens synergies between LEED and WELL, supporting projects pursuing both gold standard certifications. This strategic partnership underscores that human health and planetary health are inextricably linked,” Hodgdon said in a statement.

New tools for applicants who want certifications, such as LEED + Well Crosswalk, the LEED + WELL Submittal Form and the LEED + WELL Streamlined Certification Process are available through the USGBC’s website.