Meeting market needs
A high-performance building is one that integrates and optimizes all major high-performance building attributes, including energy efficiency, durability, life cycle performance, and occupant productivity*.
Why do we need them? Buildings are major consumers of natural resources in the U.S., accounting for 47 percent of energy and 13 percent of water use. So it’s not surprising that green building techniques are increasingly important for facilities and construction staff across the country.
A green building is a high-performance building. Per the 2017 National Green Building Adoption Index, the percentage of commercial office space that’s LEED or ENERGY STAR certified is now 38 percent across 30 office markets in the U.S. (up from only five percent in 2005).
And there’s more rigorous standards at the forefront, such as Local Law 97 in New York City and Title 24 in California. The former sets carbon emissions caps in large buildings, and the latter sets the stage for net zero energy homes by 2020. Beyond California, the market for net zero building construction in North America alone is projected to increase annually at a rate of 38 percent through 2035.
To function as designed, high-performance buildings must be constructed and managed by trades and facilities personnel who know how to meet these performance standards. GPRO is North America’s leading certificate program that teaches these skills, filling the “green gap” for industry professionals who need to augment their baseline knowledge to effectively work in the green economy.
GPRO training and materials are flexible and can accommodate regional requirements and building types. Does your organization have specialized training needs related to high-performance buildings? Urban Green Council can create and deliver custom training options. Contact us to find out more.
