World Green Building CouncilEurope Network

Driving green building practices

Creating leadership networks

Influencing policy

Transforming Europe’s built environment

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“The WorldGBC Europe Network represents an explosion of interest in green building right across this culturally and economically diverse region. Time and again we see that green and sustainable building practices – whether in new builds or refurbishments – are delivering important economic and social benefits as well as critically reducing negative environmental impacts. Our built environment offers twice the cost effective carbon mitigation potential of any other sector, and embracing this opportunity will create hundreds of thousands of new jobs, contribute to energy security and affordability, and green economic

growth. Europe is at the forefront of the green building revolution that is set to transform the way people live, work and play around the world. Green building councils and their member companies are the lifeblood of that revolution. We are proud to introduce the work of the Europe Network and the ways in which you can get involved.”

Paul King, Chair of World GBC Europe Network

The world’s construction industry generates around !5.1 trillion a year, is responsible for around 10 per cent of global GDP, and employs more than 100 million people worldwide.

At the same time, the world’s buildings account for:

17% of water usage

25% of wood harvested

33% of carbon emissions

30-40% of energy use

40-50 % raw materials.

However, the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change has found that the potential of the built environment to deliver cost effective, global carbon emission reductions is unrivalled.

The United Nations Environment Programme has argued that “no other sector has such a high potential for drastic emission reductions.”

The European property and construction industry has recognised the need for decisive action and leadership, and through the World Green Building Council (WorldGBC) Europe Network, is at the forefront of finding sustainable solutions to climate change.

“While our challenges are immense, the WorldGBC’s influence continues to grow. And as it does, we are focused on supporting the development of regional networks to identify and address

local priorities. As the citizens of Europe begin to embrace sustainability and transform their buildings, their cities and their countries, the WorldGBC’s Europe Network will continue to educate, advocate and lead the change required to ensure the built environment of tomorrow is green.”

Tony Arnel, Chairman, World Green Building Council

Global Challenges, Regional Responses

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As the largest international organisation influencing the global green building market, the World Green Building Council is the collective voice of more than 85 established, emerging, prospective and associated green building councils around the world.

We are working together to unlock the building sector’s potential to reduce energy consumption in the built environment, while also meeting a wide range of socio-economic local priorities such as affordable housing, energy security and job creation.

The WorldGBC has four strategic priorities:

1. Creating a global common language for green building

2. Building a strong global GBC community

3. Increasing the profile of the green building movement

4. Demonstrating the value of green building to governments.

Our primary vehicle for delivering on these four priorities is through our five regional networks in Europe, the Americas, Africa, Middle East and North Africa, and the Asia Pacific.

The Europe Network is our largest and fastest growing, with more than 30 GBCs at various stages of development, including seven established GBCs.

The Europe Network’s collective mission is to transform the building and construction industry. Together, we are furthering policy and education initiatives, and building capacity within the European region to create a greener future.

“The growth of the global green building market is underpinned by the increasing understanding of the long-term value of green building. Buildings are no longer viewed as simple

‘services’, but rather as central to business performance, community development and a nation’s ability to provide a high-quality life for all its citizens. Green building councils in Europe are at the forefront of this paradigm shift.”

Jane Henley, Chief Executive Officer, World Green Building Council

The WorldGBC is the only global network of organisations with cross-national and cross-sector representation.

The WorldGBC’s Europe Network encompasses 20 of the 27 European Union member states, and also represents the interests of more than 3,500 companies across the breadth of the building and construction industry, including:

developers

building owners and facility managers

engineers, architects and designers

tenants

contractors and builders

manufacturers and distributors

financial institutions

governments

professional services firms

utilities and energy service providers

research and education institutions

non-government organisations and associations

individuals.

“United Technologies Corporation has been a keen supporter of the green building council movement since its inception. The creation of the WorldGBC Europe Network marks an important step in its evolution and we are proud to be a partner.”

United Technologies Corporation

A Global Voice WorldGBC Members: Working Together

Number of Member Companies Across the Network

341

120

203

1000

63

129

140

46

118

24

88

74

182

5004322

45

102

67

340

1845

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We mean businessIn less than two years, the WorldGBC’s Europe Network has grown from a zero base to a group with a committed chair and steering committee, policy and education taskforces, and three regional partners. In addition, the network as a whole meets quarterly to drive the green building agenda. We’re committed to transforming Europe’s built environment.

Green growthThe Europe Network is WorldGBC’s fastest growing. We now represent 21 GBCs and 10 associated countries, as well as more than 3,500 organisations.

Industry supportWe are proud to be supported by some of Europe’s leading building and construction companies. These connections are our greatest asset.

Our Track Record

7 Established GBCs

6 Emerging GBCs

8 Prospective GBCs

10 Associated Groups 2007 2008 2009 2010

263326

64262626

82

Current

85

Europe Network GBCs

“InterfaceFLOR shares the goal of the WorldGBC’s Europe Network to demonstrate the business case for sustainability and to minimise the global impacts that the built environment has on people and the planet. The European Network has an outstanding calibre of members; bringing together these diverse organisations to share best practice will help deliver the radical changes needed within the industry to ensure a sustainable future for all.”

Lindsey Parnell, President and Chief Executive Officer, InterfaceFLOR EMEAI

“Green building councils, given their comprehensive and democratic structures, provide a good representation of the building sector throughout our cities and regions. The WorldGBC’s Europe Network offers us an efficient way to collaborate. We look forward to establishing a closer relationship between the Europe Network and the Covenant of Mayors.”

Pedro Ballesteros Torres, Programme Manager - Covenant of Mayors, European Commission

“We believe that green business is good for our planet, our people and our customers. It is simply good business. We believe that green building councils are well positioned to consolidate a common position towards EU policy makers and to share best practices on the implementation of EU directives. This helps drive consistency – and this is why Skanska is a partner of the WorldGBC’s European Network.”

Johan Karlström, President and Chief Executive Officer, Skanska

“The Serbia GBC ‘Green Building Roundtables’ bring together building owners currently pursuing green certification to give them information and inspiration. We present international guests with green building experience, who share their knowledge and provide encouragement to Serbian building owners just starting out on their green building journeys. Many people are surprised to discover that green building is affordable and achievable in developing European nations. The Serbia GBC is demonstrating that green building is applicable to all nations and marketplaces.”

Serbia GBC

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Transforming Europe’s building and construction industry is dependent on professionals with green skills. The Europe Education Task Force is establishing baseline standards and best practice benchmarks for green building education across the region to ensure our industry has the skills to deliver.

“The alliance of the WorldGBC reveals the multitude and diversity of national initiatives, and enables GBCs to takes part in the evolution of sustainable building practices and awareness at a worldwide level.”

Jérôme Gatier, Director, Plan Bâtiment Grenelle, French Ministry of the Ecology, Sustainable Development, Transports and Housing

Supporting Green SkillsThe WorldGBC’s Europe Network is building strong relationships with national and European Union governments to promote and support the industry’s transition to more sustainable buildings.

The Europe Policy Task Force was formed to provide GBCs with:

a knowledge-sharing platform on policy initiatives and best practices

resources and support in their work with governments and the business community to ensure successful national implementation of EU policies and directives

an integrated approach to sustainable construction which represents all GBCs and their member companies when engaging with the EU legislative process

up-to-date intelligence on EU policy and new legislative changes that impact the built environment.

“France GBC’s connections with the WorldGBC ensures all the players within the sustainable construction industry have a single, common voice.”

Philippe Pelletier, President of the French Strategic Committee, Plan Bâtiment Grenelle (French Governmental Mission for Sustainable Buildings)

Leading Industry Action“One of the critical ways to achieve sustainable building and planning practices in Bulgaria is by collaborating with the government. The Bulgarian GBC is working in partnership with the Ministry of Regional Development to adopt a national sustainable building and urban planning system, DGNB Bulgaria. We also serve on the advisory board to the Bulgarian Parliament to update regulations and bring about unification with EU standards.”

Bulgarian GBC

“UK-GBC is the only cross-industry group focused solely on the sustainability of the built environment in the UK. Our advocacy, in support of the green building agenda, is a vitally important part of our work, and we have successfully lobbied the UK Government to commit to ‘zero carbon’ for all new homes from 2016, a ‘green deal’ package to finance energy efficient refurbishments, and mandatory disclosure of energy certificates for commercial buildings.”

UK-GBC

“The GBC of Croatia has hosted a number of symposia on green building with the aims of increasing awareness and educating professionals. We have launched the ‘Better Building’ breakfast series to bring together representatives of green building, sustainable development and corporate responsibility to exchange views and information and to discuss how to drive market transformation in Croatia.”

GBC of Croatia

“The Romania Green Building Professional Certification program was launched in 2010 to educate green building professionals across a range of disciplines, including design, engineering and management. This training course has been created to give professionals the skills and knowledge, and the market the confidence that they are employing people with the most up-to-date skills.”

Romania GBC

“The Czech GBC has established a ‘Green Building Club’ to inspire people within our industry to change their mindsets. Our goal is that each participant learns new skills and connects with other people in the Czech Republic’s green building industry.”

Czech GBC

Johannes Kreissig ED, DGNB

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German Sustainable Building CouncilDeutsche Gesellschaft für nachhaltiges Bauen e.V.

Emerging

Established

Prospective

Associated Groups

Global Partner

Regional Partners

Czech RepublicDenmarkGeorgia

IcelandIreland

Montenegro

NorwaySlovakiaUkraine

WorldGBC Europe Network Members and PartnersThe Europe Network is committed

to strengthening each green building council in the region. We are a conduit for information and knowledge sharing, creating a stronger group of GBCs as a result. We:

connect GBCs, industry leaders and influential policy makers within the European building and construction industry

support the rapid and effective development of new councils with hands-on help

host networking activities and events, as well as regular meetings of the steering committee and taskforces, and the network as a whole

participate in annual WorldGBC events, such as the WorldGBC Congress, committees and forums

influence the future direction of the green building industry in Europe.

Building Capacity“The Sochi Olympics delivery body, Olympstroy, is currently designing ten of the top Olympic venues to BREEAM International standards. These ten green projects are being supported by GBC Russia and carried out by our members. Once complete, we’ll have a showcase of green buildings and established green benchmarks for the industry.”

GBC Russia

“The DGNB in Germany is currently working on ‘Open House’, a three-year project of the European Union. Commencing in February 2010 and involving 20 partners, this initiative will develop common indicators for the evaluation of sustainable buildings across Europe. The Open House project will be aligned with the development of current European standards for sustainable buildings.”

DGNB

For more information contact Dominika CzerwinskaManager Membership and Europe NetworkWorld Green Building Council Email: dczerwinska@worldgbc.org

World Green Building Councilc/o Build Toronto,200 King Street West, Suite 200Toronto, ON, M5H 3T4Canada