Source: Green Parking Council (GPC), Dallas
Targeting high standards in sustainable facility design, technology, operations and management, the International Parking Institute-affiliated Green Parking Council has launched Green Garage Certification, paralleling it with the U.S. Green Building Council’s LEED (Leadership in Energy & Environmental Design) program.
“Green Garage Certification provides both a roadmap and assessment tool for real estate owners, developers, planners, architects, tenants, parking operators, and others to strive toward a more environmentally and economically sustainable future,” says GPC Executive Director Paul Wessel. The certification is the product of a consensus-driven program developed over several years, he adds, and was honed by external reviewers and a beta phase encompassing 40-plus facilities in the U.S. and Canada.
“[It] applies a holistic approach to garage performance and sustainability, evaluating facilities based on their achievement toward a menu of standards developed by experts from a range of related fields,” affirms GPC Chair John Schmid. “This program demonstrates the parking industry’s commitment to a greener future.”
Independent, registered Green Garage Certification Assessors are being trained by the Council and may be tapped to guide applicants through the process. A free Green Garage Certification guide, with case studies, application procedures, program requirements, and a breakdown of criteria by certification level is available by clicking here. The 195-page, Green Garage Certification Standard, defining the program’s performance measures and documentation requirements, can be purchased for $49.95 at the same address, or in a forthcoming Kindle version at Amazon.com. Additional information can be obtained from Trevyr Meade, 203/672-5891; [email protected].