2018 International Green Construction Code Released

Washington, D.C. (November 8, 2018)—The 2018 International Green Construction Code (2018-IgCC) was released today by the United States Green Building Council (USGBC), the International Code Council, the American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE), and the Illuminating Engineering Society (IES). The IgCC is a model code with wide applicability for incorporating resilient, high-performance green building strategies into building codes, improving the standards of living for people in communities across the globe.

The IgCC is a part of the Code Council’s suite of comprehensive, coordinated and contemporary model codes—including the International Building Code, International Existing Building Code, International Energy Conservation Code, International Mechanical Code, International Plumbing Code and International Fire Code—and is suitable for use in building codes around the world. Many jurisdictions in the U.S. and abroad incorporate the international codes in their building design and compliance processes to construct safe, sustainable and affordable structures. 

“Over the last several decades, market leaders have adopted Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) and achieved higher levels of building performance and sustainability in the face of increasing global challenges. USGBC has led the development of the LEED green building rating system, an unrivaled standard of living critical to providing a better quality of life for millions of people around the world. And with the 2018-IgCC, we are helping people build upon that work, as well as on the universal truth that every human being deserves to live in a space that fosters long, healthy lives,” said Mahesh Ramanujam, president and CEO, USGBC.

The NSI/ASHRAE/USGBC/IES 189.1 (Standard for the Design of High-Performance Green Buildings Except Low Rise Residential Buildings, and the Code Council’s multi-stakeholder International Green Construction Code) update accomplishes two important tasks:
1. It will help governments streamline code development and adoption.
2. It will improve building industry standardization by integrating two previously separate guidance documents

When pursuing LEED certification in jurisdictions that adopt the IgCC green code, USGBC will allow project teams to be recognized in LEED for their compliance with IgCC measures.

For more information, visit new.usgbc.org.