Henrico County Fairfield Area Library | LEED Gold | Photo: Carrie Webster
Transforming the way we do business
To meet our goal of a more equitable world for all, USGBC is committed to encouraging and empowering people, projects and organizations at all scales to incorporate equity into all aspects of decision-making, policy and governance, and implementation. USGBC approaches this work with humility, recognizing there is much to learn and understand.
Equity: the quality of being fair and impartial
USGBC sees our role in equity as taking inclusive action to empower all people to reach their full potential and improve their standard of living regardless of race, class, gender, ability, age, health or economic status. We will do this by working collaboratively with a broad range of stakeholders to develop tools, resources and knowledge to amplify their voices and incorporate them into action.
Nexus with LEED
Addressing equity means different things at different scales. An individual will have different avenues than an organization, an architectural firm will have different opportunities than a manufacturer. But all must begin to see how they can look at their current actions and begin to make changes to address diversity and inclusion, accessibility, community impact and engagement, environmental justice, empowerment and agency, health and well-being, and other critical issues.
USGBC has initiated programs in support of equity in communities, in schools, and in LEED at the building project scale, the community scale, and the city scale. Equity has been reflected in the LEED rating systems through revisions to intents, incorporation of equity questions into the integrative process credit and the development of new pilot credits.
LEED credits:
- Social Equity within the Supply Chain: To create more equitable, healthier environments for those affected by and involved in the production of materials and products used in a project, including the stages of raw materials extraction, processing, manufacturing, and assembly of components and products.
- Social equity within the community: Encourage any and all members of the project team to promote and further social equity by integrating strategies that address identified social and community needs and disparities among those affected by the project.
Social Equity Planning and Assessment Tool
The tool is intended to encourage and help project teams plan, assess and be recognized for the actions they take to advance equity.
Read the tool.