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“We don’t need a handful of people doing zero waste perfectly. We need millions of people doing it imperfectly.”
– Anne Marie Bonneau, Author of Zero-Waste Chef
New and Upcoming
New and Upcoming
2025 | USGBC LEED v5
LEED v5 is the next version of the globally recognized comprehensive framework for green building practices.
Embracing market demands for greater accountability, LEED v5 will champion solutions to align the built environment with critical imperatives including decarbonization, quality of life, and ecological conservation and restoration. LEED v5 will drive real-world impact and positive change.
LEED v5 has been developed around three central areas of impact:
Decarbonization
Quality of life
Ecological conservation and restoration
2025 | FLORIDA SENATE BILL - CS/SB 62: Resilient Buildings
GENERAL BILL by Environment and Natural Resources ; Rodriguez
Resilient Buildings; Defining the term “resilient building”; specifying that owners of resilient buildings are eligible to receive a specified tax credit; requiring building owners to file a specified application with the Department of Business and Professional Regulation by a specified date in order to claim such tax credit; creating the Florida Resilient Building Advisory Council adjunct to the Department of Business and Professional Regulation, etc.
Effective Date: 7/1/2025
Last Action: 3/4/2025 Senate - CS by Environment and Natural Resources read 1st time
Local Initiatives
Local Initiatives
City of Orlando
City of Orlando
Launched in 2007, the Green Works Orlando initiative reflects Mayor Buddy Dyer’s commitment to sustainability and his goals to enhance quality of life and wellbeing, generate diverse economic growth, and create equitable access to resources and services for the entire Orlando community.
By providing residents with free trees to plant on their property, this is another way, the city is transforming the urban environment to conserve, preserve and reuse valuable resources, ensuring a more livable Orlando for future generations to come.
Composting is the process of turning kitchen and yard waste into usable, nutrient-rich soil through natural decomposition. Get a free backyard composter for you to compost at home.
Three Steps to Composting
Preparation | Chop food into small pieces and surround waste with newspaper to soak up liquids
Maintenance | Cover food with dry yard debris or soil, add water to keep moist, and stir periodically to encourage decomposition
Harvest | Compost is ready after 4-6 months once soil is crumbly, moist, and has an earthy aroma
Orange County
Orange County
Orange County wants to help you learn about habits that can help keep our homes, community, and environment clean, safe, and healthy, while often saving money at the same time.
Adopt-a-Tree events seek to give Orange County Residents an opportunity to expand their landscape by giving away, or adopting, trees. Trees in the landscape serve several functions, including carbon sequestration, providing habitat for wildlife, providing shading that can potentially reduce home cooling costs, and possibly raising property values.
Build codes, design standards, planned developments and educated owners, builders and inspectors are necessary for keeping the character of our built environment safe, healthy and thriving for future generations of Orange County.
General Questions
General Questions
Q: What is a sustainable built environment?
A: A sustainable built environment refers to buildings and infrastructure designed, constructed, and operated in ways that reduce their environmental impact, enhance their environmental impact, enhance human health, and promote economic vitality.
Q: Why is sustainability important to the built environment?
A: Buildings account for a significant portion of global energy use, water consumption, and CO2 emissions. Sustainable practices can reduce these impacts, improve occupant health, and lower operating costs.
Q: What is a green building?
A: A green building is designed to minimize its environmental impact through efficient use of resources, renewable energy, and sustainable materials throughout its lifecycle.
Q: Are green buildings more expensive?
A: While the initial costs can be higher, green buildings often save money in the long run through lower energy and water bills, reduced maintenance costs, and potential tax incentives.
Q: How do sustainable buildings benefit occupants?
A: Sustainable buildings often have better indoor air quality, natural lighting, and thermal comfort, which can enhance occupant health, productivity, and overall well-being.
Q: What role do sustainable buildings play in a community?
A: They contribute to creating resilient, thriving communities by reducing environmental impacts, supporting local economies, and promoting social equity.
Sustainable Programs | Certifications | Organizations
Sustainable Programs | Certifications | Organizations
The built environment generates 40% of annual global CO2 emissions. Of those total emissions, building operations are responsible for 27% annually, while building and infrastructure materials and construction (typically referred to as embodied carbon) are responsible for an additional 13% annually.
For almost two decades, with modest resources, Architecture 2030 has achieved impressive shifts in outlook and practice within the U.S. and global building sectors. Initiatives necessary to empower designers, policymakers, and educators to facilitate systemic change and achieve a zero carbon built environment.
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What is the difference between LEED Green Associate and LEED AP?
A: LEED Green Associate is a professional that has core competency in green building principles, whereas LEED AP (which no longer exists as a standalone accreditation) that is now referred to as LEED AP + Specialty is an advanced professional with expertise in green building principles and the LEED rating system. In order to become LEED AP + you will first need to become a LEED Green Associate. Any project that is pursuing LEED Credentials must have at least 1 accredited design professional who is LEED AP+.
LEED Credentials
LEED Green Associate
LEED AP Building Design + Construction (LEED AP BD+C)
LEED AP Operations + Maintenance (LEED AP O+M)
LEED AP Interior Design + Construction (LEED AP ID+C)
LEED AP Neighborhood Development (LEED AP ND)
LEED AP Homes
Q: What is the difference between USGBC LEED and IWBI WELL?
A: USGBC LEED primarily focuses on overall sustainability and environmental impact based on design, construction, maintenance and operation, whereas IWBI WELL focuses on people's health, wellness, and comfort. Both are rating systems that set standards for buildings to become more sustainable. If a project is pursing both, there is now a certification that is offered in tandem between the two entities.
Q: What is the difference between Carbon Neutral and Carbon Zero?
A: Carbon Neutral means some emissions are generated but offset elsewhere to make the overall emissions zero, whereas Carbon Zero means no emissions are being produced. Whether or not you striving for carbon neutral or carbon zero, the end result is the same, removing harmful emissions from Earth's atmosphere.
Book Recommendations
Book Recommendations
Sustainable Design : A Critical Guide By: David Bergman
Handbook of Biophilic City Planning & Design By: Timothy Beatley
Nature By Design By: Stephen R. Kellert
Design Dossier: Architecture By: Pamela Pease
It's all in the Details By: House Beautiful
Design is in the Details: Living Spaces By: Brad Mee
A Pattern Language: Towns, Buildings, Construction By: Christopher Alexander
The Science of Our Changing Planet By: Tony Juniper
Sun, Wind & Light By: G.Z. Brown and Mark DeKay
Design with Nature By: Ian L. McHarg
Architecture and Sites of History By: Ian Borden
How to Recycle Buildings By: Laurence E. Reiner
Towards a New Architecture By: Le Corbusier
Modern Architecture By: Alan Colquhoun
This is Frank Lloyd Wright By: Ian Volner
Cooler Smarter: Practical Steps for Low-Carbon Living By: David Friedman
The Green Studio Handbook By: Alison G. Kwok + Walter T. Grondzik
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