The USA Pavilion at Expo 2012 is collaborating with the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) to enhance the sustainable practices and operation of the USA Pavilion at the World Expo in Yeosu, Republic of Korea. The USA Pavilion and USGBC are focusing efforts on understanding and minimizing the impact of the Pavilion and promoting sustainable practices for the USA Pavilion team on-site and beyond. Another planned product of their work together is a best practices case study for future projects and events. USGBC representatives worked with the USA Pavilion management team in advance of the Pavilion opening in early May.

“The U.S. Green Building Council is the ideal collaborator to help the USA Pavilion team enhance and extend its commitment to environmental sustainability and positive change through action,” said USA Pavilion 2012 Chief Executive Officer Andrew Snowhite.

“We are proud to work with the USA Pavilion team to showcase sustainability at the World Expo,” said Kimberly Lewis, Senior Vice President, Conferences and Events, USGBC. “This is an exciting opportunity to showcase our country’s commitment to sustainable operations at a global event.”

USGBC has extensive experience in sustainable tradeshows and exhibiting related to their annual conference, Greenbuild, which has received four IMEX Green Meeting awards. The IMEX 2012 Green Meeting Award recognized Greenbuild 2011 for attendee engagement in sustainability programs as well as its energy reduction and air quality programs. Greenbuild has also pioneered mandatory sustainable exhibition standards for the thousands of annual Greenbuild exhibitors. USGBC is pleased to welcome Philippe Cousteau, the USA Pavilion’s chief spokesperson, to Greenbuild 2012 this fall as a Master Series Speaker.

Working with USGBC is part of the USA Pavilion’s efforts to expand on the environmental and sustainability focus of the Expo’s theme of The Living Ocean and Coast.

USGBC and USA Pavilion teams are working together on an ongoing basis in four main areas:

• Optimize water use;
• Conserve energy to reduce greenhouse gas emissions;
• Reduce waste, increase reuse, and ensure proper disposal of waste; and
• Engage all stakeholders in environmental stewardship and sustainable operations, and encourage personal action and positive change.

The USA Pavilion sustainability program engages the Pavilion’s 40 Student Ambassadors in reducing the day to day impact of the pavilion’s operation by encouraging them to not only learn about sustainability but also to take positive action in their own lives, both onsite at the World Expo and once they return to the United States.

About the USA Pavilion

USA Pavilion 2012 is a public-private partnership and the U.S. Department of State has partnered with explorer, environmentalist and social entrepreneur Philippe Cousteau Jr. and his team to design, build and operate the USA Pavilion. It is funded exclusively through private donations. For more information about the USA Pavilion, please go to http://www.pavilion2012.org/. Follow the USA Pavilion experience on Twitter @usapavilion2012 or like us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/USAPavilion2012.

About the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC)

The U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) is committed to a prosperous and sustainable future through cost-efficient and energy-saving green buildings. USGBC works toward its mission of market transformation through its LEED green building certification program, robust educational offerings, a nationwide network of chapters and affiliates, the annual Greenbuild International Conference & Expo, to be held this year Nov. 14-16 in San Francisco, and advocacy in support of public policy that encourages and enables green buildings and communities. For more information, visit usgbc.org and follow us on Twitter @USGBC, and Facebook at facebook.com/USGBC.

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