USGBC California announced that it is assuming ownership and management of the Contractor’s Commitment to Sustainable Building Practices, the premier program for leaders in green commercial construction to demonstrate their commitment to sustainability and improve their initiatives over time. The Contractor’s Commitment has been under the auspices of Green Commons’ Sustainable Construction Leaders Peer Network. Its acquisition by USGBC California provides a platform for fully operationalizing its growth.
 
“We’re excited to add the Contractor’s Commitment to our stable of programs accelerating sustainability in the construction industry - from advancing zero emission construction equipment to contractor training and workforce development - in California and throughout the United States,” said Ben Stapleton, Executive Director of USGBC California. “Following four years of successful pilots with two dozen leading general contractors, the Contractor’s Commitment is poised to take off.”
 
 Created by contractors for contractors, the Contractor’s Commitment offers a smart way to both get started and to measure a company’s ongoing progress in sustainability. The five Areas of Impact offer these core goals:

• Carbon Reduction - outline practices that General Contractors can implement to reduce greenhouse gas emissions (“carbon”) from their construction activities and corporate operations, to advocate for greenhouse gas reductions by their partners and suppliers.
• Jobsite Wellness - ensure the wellness of a contractor’s employees.
• Waste Management - outline steps to minimize construction and demolition waste and maximize waste diversion.
• Water Management - promote responsible use of water.
• Materials - outline steps General Contractors can take to advance the use of healthy and sustainable materials on projects, understanding their varying levels of influence with materials.

 
 “I’m really happy that USGBC California has committed to the further growth and development of the Contractor’s Commitment and helping it fulfill its potential as a driver of sustainable construction practices,” said Green Commons’ CEO Nadav Malin, who has assumed management of the Peer Networks from BuildingGreen, Inc. “The Sustainable Construction Leaders Peer Network will continue to share best practices and develop new initiatives in support of our shared mission of a healthier, more sustainable world.”
 
The Contractor’s Commitment was cited in Engineering News-Record’s introduction to its Top 100 Contractors List. It informed the development of new credits in LEED version 5. It has meaningfully influenced the sustainability programs of many construction companies and is frequently referenced in their ESG reporting.
 
 Eden Axelrad, Director, Climate Change and Decarbonization for Clayco, a pilot signatory of Contractor’s Commitment, states, “We’ve found it to be an important step in leading to positive changes within the construction industry. The program effectively provides resources and tools to implement a more standardized tracking of environmental impacts. This not only helps streamline efforts in the short term but also allows for improved benchmarking and collaboration. We are looking forward to continuing our commitment and encourage others to take this step toward environmental responsibility.”
 
 Laura Soma, LEED AP BD+C, Sustainability Manager of GLY Construction adds, “The information sharing and collaboration among signatories on issues affecting workers and the environment are having a positive impact across the construction industry.”
 
 Angi Rivera, AIA, LEED Fellow, Director of Sustainability of Sellen Construction adds, “Our experience with the Commitment has been incredibly positive. The industry-specific metrics and thresholds in the framework not only align closely with our values but also have bolstered our roadmap for strengthening our environmental practices and fostering greater accountability. We look forward to continuing this journey with USGBC-CA.”
 
 USGBC California will be launching a new web presence and content for the Contractor’s Commitment, based on industry feedback, and including increased connection to training, workforce development, education, data collection, industry recognition, and more.
 
To find out more about the Contractor’s Commitment, visit ContractorsCommitment.org. For inquiries to participate, please reach out to Pars Parikh, pars@usgbc-ca.org.