U.S. Green Building Council and International Code Council Formally Commit to Joint Educational, Business, and Policy Initiatives to Further Green Building Practices.

The U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) and the International Code Council (ICC) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding that forges a stronger relationship between the two organizations in order to further green building practices.

"This agreement with the International Code Council and USGBC opens the door to a better quality of life for us all," said Rick Fedrizzi, President, CEO & Founding Chair, U.S. Green Building Council. "Human health and well-being is a cornerstone of green building practices and of ICC's work. Joining together in a formal agreement ensures that we will share ideas, education, and opportunities."

ICC's vision is to protect the health, safety, and welfare of people by creating better buildings and safer communities. This vision is congruent with USGBC's core purpose: to create an environmentally responsible, healthy, and prosperous environment that improves the quality of life. The MOU recognizes the leadership roles of both of the organizations, while laying out areas of mutual interest, such as advocacy and education initiatives, in which USGBC and the Code Council can work cooperatively to advance their missions. The MOU also addresses exploring and implementing joint business opportunities.

"Signing this agreement with the U.S. Green Building Council reinforces the Code Council's commitment to the environment and assures that our members play an important role in matters related to green building," said ICC CEO Rick Weiland. "Green building is going to play an important role in our collective future—not just in the United States but around the world."

The initial activities pursuant to the MOU will focus on education for code officials. Both organizations will develop a green building education manual on the subject of building codes and sustainability.

Added Fedrizzi, "The foundation for USGBC's relationship with ICC was helped along by David Eisenberg, former USGBC Board member and chair of USGBC's Greening the Codes Committee. David is with the Development Center for Appropriate Technology and has been a long time advocate of a greening building code."

ICC plays a key role in the area of safety for the built environment to create better buildings and safer communities. USGBC is transforming the built environment to high-performance green building practices. USGBC and ICC will work together to advance buildings that are environmentally responsible, profitable and healthy places to live and work.

About ICC
The International Code Council, a membership association dedicated to building safety and fire prevention, develops the codes used to construct residential and commercial buildings, including homes and schools. Most U.S. cities, counties and states that adopt codes choose the International Codes developed by the International Code Council.

About USGBC
The U.S. Green Building Council is the nation's leading coalition of corporations, builders, universities, government agencies, and nonprofit organizations working together to transform the way buildings are designed, built and operated. Green buildings are environmentally responsible, profitable and healthy places to live and work. Since its founding in 1993, the Council has grown to more than 9,000 member companies and organizations, a 90-person professional staff, a broad portfolio of LEED® green building products and services, the industry's popular Greenbuild International Conference and Expo and a network of over 70 local chapters, affiliates and organizing groups.

EDITORS' NOTE: A photo of the signing ceremony is available here.