The World Green Building Council, a global network of 70 Green Building Councils, has unveiled a new digital library of case studies showcasing the world’s most cutting edge sustainable buildings and development projects. Each entry demonstrates a given building’s excellence in health benefits or net zero carbon operations, as verified by a Green Building Council or other certification parties or rating tools.

Following the library’s launch at the U.S. Green Building Council’s Greenbuild conference in Atlanta, Ga. on November 19th, the case study library will be open to new submissions via the WorldGBC website on a rolling basis. Submissions are reviewed based on criteria developed by WorldGBC, as well as a panel of development partners.

The net zero carbon case studies include buildings or spaces that can produce or generate sufficient renewable energy to meet the building’s demands over 12 consecutive months, as shown by market rating tools or certifications. The health case studies cover buildings or spaces that can show features that enhance human health, as verified through ratings or related certifications.

Projects that achieve both the healthy and net zero performance criteria will be identified as “game changers,” with entries highlighting their features, lessons learned and project information. Examples of “game changer” projects include Floth’s office in Brisbane, Australia; CBRE’s office in Vancouver, Canada; and City Hall in Freiburg, Germany.

WorldGBC developed the library in partnership with DELOS, Integral Group and Saint-Gobain as a part of two WorldGBC initiatives – Advancing Net Zero, which aims to progress net zero carbon uptake to 100% by 2050, and Better Places for People, which aims to increase market demand for sustainable buildings.

“As a global network committed to achieving a sustainable built environment, I’m delighted to launch our new case study library,” says Cristina Gamboa, CEO of the World Green Building Council. “It showcases the most cutting-edge examples of sustainable building worldwide as verified by our local Green Building Councils. Buildings are a vital part of the solution to the climate crisis as they are the fastest, most viable and cost-effective means to achieve emissions reductions. Therefore, our case study library will be a valuable resource to further inspire commitment towards improving human health and eliminating the building and construction sector’s CO2 emissions to reach net zero before 2050.”