Furthering its USGBC "All In" initiative announced last month, Green Business Certification Inc., the administrator of LEED and other leading green business certifications and credentials, is providing funding for 100 people in underserved communities to achieve one of the updated Sustainability Excellence credentials administered by GBCI.

Along with the USGBC All In: Building Equity Together announcement during the Nov. 10-12 virtual Greenbuild Conference & Expo, Mahesh Ramanujam, USGBC’s and GBCI’s president and CEO, also said USGBC will provide funding for 500 people in underserved communities to earn professional credentials under the USGBC’s LEED green building program.

Emerging and Experienced Professional Levels

The International Society of Sustainability Professionals originally developed the sustainability credential. GBCI partnered with ISSP in 2017 to update and expand it. Two options are available: sustainability excellence (SE) associate for emerging professionals and SE professional for those with sustainability experience.

GBCI will be covering the cost of the study guide bundle, the exam and the application fee. That adds up to $250 for each person pursuing an associate credential and $325 for each person pursuing a professional credential. 

USGBC All In is a series of 12 commitments and actions around equity that aim to address social, health and economic disparities in communities through green building and sustainability. All In includes a pledge to help educate and develop a new, more inclusive workforce that includes professionals from underserved and underrepresented locales.

There are currently 369 people with credentials under the Sustainability Excellence program.