Honoring Excellence at the 2025 Green Schools Conference
U.S. schools are positioned to catalyze increased awareness, public support, workforce development, and demand for healthy buildings to help solve the climate crisis. They can also serve a central role in addressing equity and enhancing community resilience. Two excellent opportunities for school districts looking to transform their buildings include the upcoming Green Schools Conference and the U.S. Department of Energy’s Efficient and Healthy Schools Program (EHSP).
A Partnership to Support Schools
Over the past two years (2023/2024 and 2024/2025), the Efficient and Healthy Schools Program, New Buildings Institute, the Center for Green Schools, and the Lawrence Berkeley National Lab have partnered to deliver targeted technical assistance, in-person events and wide-ranging virtual learning opportunities to the K-12 sector across the U.S. As part of this program, the U.S. Department of Energy also honors schools and districts that exemplify a strong commitment to creating efficient and healthy educational environments through a recognition program. This year’s recipients will be announced at the Green Schools Conference in March 2025.
Efficient and Healthy Schools Program: Get Support for Your K-12 School
The Efficient and Healthy Schools Program aims to engage K-12 schools to improve energy performance and indoor air quality. The U.S. Department of Energy leads this program in partnership with the U.S. Department of Education, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, and with technical support from Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory and New Buildings Institute. With a focus on practical solutions involving HVAC and other technologies to reduce energy use and advance resilience, the program exists to promote peer-to-peer learning among school participants. The program recognizes schools and districts to highlight best practices and exemplary solutions. It also engages building designers, engineers, consultants, manufacturers, and program implementers better to facilitate schools on their efficient and healthy building journey. To learn more, visit the program website or email questions to the Efficient and Health Schools Program team at [email protected]
Honoring Excellence at the Green Schools Conference
The Green Schools Conference (March 3-4, 2025) unites passionate professionals working to advance green schools to explore and promote sustainability initiatives and environmental stewardship. The 15th annual conference will offer participants opportunities for in-depth industry education, networking, and memorable moments from inspirational sessions and keynote speakers. The conference education program kicks off on March 3rd, 2025, with an engaging opening keynote, half-day workshops in the morning, and a celebratory lunch with ceremonies for the Best of Green Schools Awards and EHSP Recognition Honorees. The conference will continue into March 4th, offering a full day of interdisciplinary education sessions covering important topics on improving the health of our learning environments. The conference will conclude with a gathering of all attendees to reflect on lessons learned, an engaging closing keynote presentation, and an enjoyable student performance. Register here today.
New Buildings Institute’s Schools Work: New Buildings Institute works to transform how American school buildings use energy and contribute to carbon emissions. We partner with state and school district leadership, design professionals, facilities managers, and school occupants to advance districts on the road to carbon neutrality based on our research and learnings in zero energy schools. NBI can help a school district of any size, anywhere in the country, with consultative and educational support for local school designers, builders, and school administration at the state and local level. Contact us at [email protected] to learn how we can support your school’s projects.
USGBC’s Center for Green Schools: The Center for Green Schools at the U.S. Green Building Council is a global leader in advancing green schools and providing the resources needed to create sustainable, healthy, resilient, and equitable learning environments. We are driving the green school movement by working directly with those implementing sustainability within school systems and offering various initiatives that accelerate action. Efforts of the Center are focused on education and events, establishing peer networks, making the case for green schools to policymakers, and researching the best practices and successes in the sustainable school building sector. For questions about the Green Schools Conference, email [email protected].
by Shannon Oliver, Senior Project Manager
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