Building Codes Go Green
This course is no longer active
Sponsored by ICC Evaluation Service, LLC
Learning Objectives:
- %IExplain the difference between building codes, standards and rating systems.
- %IUnderstand why we need both green building rating systems and green building codes at this time.
- %IDiscuss several recent efforts to develop green building codes.
- %IList some of the challenges inherent in developing and implementing green codes.
Credits:
Cities, states, and national organizations are working to establish minimum, enforceable sustainable construction requirements to complement, not replace, highly popular above-code incentive programs, like LEED. Green rating systems like LEED are an incentive that pulls the more daring owners and designers toward a sustainable ideal, thus fostering creativity and innovation, while green codes establish a base minimum requirement which is broadly accepted. Green codes, which raise the bottom line, result in significant positive environmental impact just by the sheer numbers of projects that fall within that category. Also, by raising the ceiling and implementing more stringent above-code rating systems, innovation in green design and construction is encouraged.
Originally published in April 2012