Internal and external stakeholders will need to:

• Learn about green building.
• Understand why green building is important to them.
• Figure out how to promote or practice green building.

Local governments play a key role in educating stakeholders about issues and initiatives. These are some of the ways to carry out that mission:

• Train the staff. Begin by coordinating workshops and other educational events for staff.
  • Over the past four years, Seattle has hosted more than 30 brown-bag lunches where staff members could learn about a variety of green building issues and strategies. These sessions included seven private LEED- related workshops. Seattle has nearly 30 LEED Accredited Professionals in the permitting, facilities, utilities and other related departments.
• Reach out to the community. Partner with industry organizations to coordinate educational events for professionals and members of the public. Possible partners include local building organizations, such as chapters of national industry associations; utilities; other local and state agencies; and non-governmental organizations.
  • San Jose’s Education & Outreach was developed in partnership with the Pacific Gas & Electric Energy Resource Center.
• Use your website. Government websites are great resources for raising awareness about green building.
  • Alameda County Green Building Program uses its website to provide information and resources targeted at residents, business and industry, schools, and local governments.
• Publish brochures. Outreach materials are another good way to raise awareness about green building among industry professionals and the public.
  • Arlington County’s Green Building Brochure describes green buildings and benefits, introduces LEED as the adopted green building standard, explains the green building program, and introduces green building incentives.

Recognize Leaders

Recognize leaders and publicize their green building projects. This is a relatively simple and cost effective strategy that will have a positive impact. There are a number of ways to provide recognition. Feature successful projects on websites, or publish case studies that highlight green building strategies and benefits. If there is an existing awards program in place that recognizes environmental leadership, establish a new category for green building. A green building category was integrated into Portland’s Best Awards program to recognize local leaders in sustainable business practices.