by Shane Henson — December 2, 2013—In an effort to ensure that every child has the opportunity to learn in a green school within this generation, the Center for Green Schools at the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) recently launched the Global Coalition for Green Schools, an organization created in partnership with the World Green Building Council (WGBC) and now backed by 29 founding members of the Global Coalition for Green Schools.
The Global Coalition for Green Schools works collectively to shape schools and communities to fundamentally change the way students learn about the world around them. Each of the 29 founding members has committed to establishing and leading a national coalition for green schools within each of their respective countries. Members of the coalition will share best practices, resources and case studies; provide tools and infrastructure to this growing network; and introduce programs, initiatives and campaigns that can be replicated around the world.
The current members of the Global Coalition for Green Schools are: Argentina GBC, GBC Australia, Botswana GBC, GBC Brazil, Canada GBC, Chile GBC, China GBC, Colombia GBC, Croatia GBC, Egypt GBC, Emirates GBC, Global Communities, GBC Ghana, Hong Kong GBC, Indian GBC, GBC Italia, Israel GBC, Jordan GBC, Kenya GBC, Mauritius GBC, Namibia GBC, Peru GBC, Qatar GBC, Romania GBC, Singapore GBC, GBC Slovenia, and Turkish GBC.
Because schools look different from country to country around the world, leaders within the Global Coalition for Green Schools say they have identified three pillars by which to define a green school: minimize environmental impact, optimize human health and performance, and foster a generation of environmentally literate students.
By highlighting how sustainability can be woven into infrastructure, culture and curriculum, the global coalition aims to foster these ideals in schools around the world. National coalitions will bring together influential leaders in their countries’ green schools movement, including nonprofits, corporations, community members, universities and government, the organization says.
