USGBC Research Program

The USGBC Research Program acts to advance the understanding and practice of green building through applied, question-driven research and innovation.  As a focal point for inquiry and innovation, the Research Program strives to foster a culture of thought leadership that cuts across internal operating units and external stakeholders.

The Research Program aims to:

• Convene: Bring together technical groups to address high-priority issues.
• Analyze: Conduct synthetic research and meta-analysis.
• Empower: Create innovative tools and targeted publications to advance green building practice.
• Educate: Develop advanced education for green building practitioners and other stakeholders.

2010 Research Program Priorities

On-going projects advance the theory and practice of green building with new approaches to the design and implementation of green building rating systems, integrative strategies to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, new insights into the development and evaluation of public policies, and new approaches to understanding the cost and value premiums associated with sustainable projects. Active research projects focus on:

• Advanced rating systems: Developing tools and educational resources to help green buildings mitigate greenhouse gas emissions and prepare for changing climatic conditions. To develop place-based context-dependent rating systems and their components, such as LEED Carbon Overlay tool.
• Building performance and occupant experience: Reviewing data analysis methods and contributing to the development of novel approaches to data collection.
• Market trends and dynamics: Understanding the determinants and dynamics of the costs and benefits of green building.

USGBC’s Research Program is supported by the Research Advisory Committee, which reports to the Education Steering Committee and provides high-level strategic counsel and technical guidance.