Boston, MA – The Green RoundTable (GRT) has launched the Sustainable Performance Institute, which is providing resources, training and a certification program that measures and recognizes the capability of architecture, engineering and construction firms to deliver consistent, high quality services. This certification provides many benefits, from risk reduction and quality control to profitability and increased performance. Additionally, certification makes a company eligible to receive a discount on their professional liability insurance. For companies that have already implemented comprehensive initiatives, this recognizes their success. For companies that have yet to begin, this program provides a roadmap and structure to help them streamline their efforts.
The certification evaluates firms, and recognizes success in five categories:
Strategy addresses activities related to leadership, management support, policies, infrastructure and metrics.
Production evaluates project specific evidence throughout all phases of design e.g., schematics, design development, construction documents, and incorporates quality control and internal standards for design, performance and specifications.
Support processes include aspects of company operations that are not specifically project related, but underlie all activities in both operations and project execution. These include internal design and specification standards, human resources (such as professional development and performance reviews), marketing, and tools and resources used to do analysis or support design in other aspects.
Partnering is the category that relates to external relationships that are critical for delivering a project and define the scope, roles, responsibilities and deliverables of different parties e.g., proposals, contracts and change orders for scope or fee.
Outcome measures of actual performance of built work (whether LEED, energy consumption, or other) and the company’s own environmental footprint.
Similar to LEED EBOM, most firms will be putting policy measures into place initially, and not able to have measurable results immediately. This certification will have a Provisional status for those who have substantively complied with requirements and are on the path to measure policy implementation. Certified companies will also be required to do simple reporting annually, and a full audit once every three years. This program will intentionally focus on meaningful results, require minimal effort, enhance organizational performance, and provide industry feedback.
Green Product Trade Association
The Association is an outgrowth of the programs we have been running through NEXUS for the past three years, connecting architects and specifiers with green products, and acting as the Go-To place in the community for education, training and networking.
NEXUS ran 200 programs last year providing continuing education credits for professionals and engaging thousands of people. These programs also included business networking functions, “speed dating” rotational networking and Exhibitor Showcases. Showcases alone attract 300 top specifiers and designers. Now we are extending our reach, partnering with media and creating a bigger platform for manufacturers and distributors to promote their products.
This Association is an inclusive, unified voice for the entire products industry from construction to operations. We encourage networking and open lines of communication between different sectors of products, accelerating a tipping point towards sustainable solutions.
The goal of the association is to be an inclusive and progressive industry-wide platform to promote green products.
The Association will promote its members through the following activities:
- Networking events
- Industry Roundtables and Focus Groups
- Speed dating/Rotational Networking
- Quarterly exhibitor showcases
- Focus group sessions
- Conference & trade show representation:
- CEU workshops
- Manufacturer lunch n’ learn
- Awards and recognition programs with media partners
- Year round exhibition/trade show
For more information about either of these programs, contact Tova Greenberg [email protected]
