Policies & Programs

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Whether it’s regulatory pressure or voluntary incentives, there are many external forces that affect green building practices. Here we collect info on everything from local codes to award programs to the internal policies of the federal government.

Policies & Programs

Deep Dives

Get up to speed on complex topics. You can also earn CEUs and download PDF Spotlight Reports.

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  • Get a Whiff of This: The Lowdown on Product Emissions Testing

    Feature Article

    Analytical chemistry tools, used together with product testing chambers, are making it possible to "see" product emissions in new ways. Editor Nadav Malin discusses the science behind product emissions testing, the different product certification standards, and what's ahead for this growing field.

  • Treated Wood in Transition: Less Toxic Options in Preserved and Protected Wood

    Feature Article

    Following the recent phaseout of CCA, the dominant wood preservative of the last 30 years, the treated wood industry is in major transition. Some current wood treatment technologies present familiar environmental problems, while less-toxic alternatives are just entering the market.

  • How Boston Reduced Its Carbon Footprint

    Feature Short

    Building operations represent 75% of Boston’s greenhouse gas emissions. Here’s what we can learn from the city’s work on ambitious climate goals.

  • Progress on 2030 Goals, Ten Years Later

    Feature Short

    The number of firms committing to 2030 carbon targets has more than doubled, and 8,182 project teams reported in 2014. But what about the carbon?

Quick Takes

Jump straight to the essentials with these short explanations of green building concepts.

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Product Guidance

Unbiased information from our product experts helps you separate green from greenwash.

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In The News

We break news down to the essentials and provide expert analysis.

Perspective

Thought-provoking opinions from the most trusted minds in sustainability.

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  • An Environmental Service Corps for America

    Op-Ed

    Executive editor Alex Wilson proposes a national environmental service corps to help the U.S. achieve its greenhouse gas emissions reduction goals and cope with the effects of climate change.

  • Reflections from Five Years on the USGBC Board

    Op-Ed

    EBN Executive Editor Alex Wilson reflects on five years of organizational growth he witnessed while on the board of the U.S. Green Building Council.

  • Concerns About Broadening LEED's Wood Credit

    Op-Ed

    Bill Edgerton, AIA, writes about his concerns that broadening LEED's wood credit would weaken LEED and erode USGBC's credibility.

  • Watch NAHB in the ANSI Process

    Op-Ed

    NAHB has a history of hijacking standards and code development processes, and should be watched during the ANSI green building standards process, writes Bion Howard.

Learning Resources

A wide range of education options, with automatic reporting for AIA and GBCI.

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Just For Fun

Something weird happens every April at BuildingGreen...

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