The U.S.-based non-profit Green Building Initiative (GBI) announced earlier this week that it has completed acquisition of the global rights to Green Globes, a leading sustainability rating system for commercial and multi-family buildings. This acquisition from JLL now allows GBI to support existing Green Globes users in Canada, in addition to the United States, and to expand the reach of the rating system globally.

“This acquisition is a clear win for GBI and our growing base of Green Globes users,” stated Vicki Worden, President & CEO of GBI. “Consolidating Green Globes under GBI was a logical and natural next step to further our mission to accelerate the adoption of green building best practices in the built environment.”

JLL is a global professional services firm specializing in real estate and investment management, and offers sustainability consulting to its vast client base. JLL purchased the global rights to Green Globes in 2008 as part of its acquisition of ECD Energy and Environment Canada, the entity responsible for developing the underlying technology. GBI first licensed the U.S. rights to Green Globes in 2004 from ECD.

“As a nonprofit, GBI is in a better position to grow the sustainability movement as the sole owner and promoter of Green Globes, and we have every confidence in GBI’s ability to do so,” stated Bob Best, Executive Vice President of JLL. “We value Green Globes as a tool we use with our clients and property managers, and because of this acquisition, GBI can continue to grow Green Globes as a global assessment program.”

According to Worden, GBI has experienced significant growth over the last two years and has certified 1,594 buildings or almost 300 million square feet of real estate since its founding in 2004—1,328 buildings through its Green Globes program and 266 buildings through its Guiding Principles Compliance program for U.S. government buildings. Green Globes has garnered significant attention recently, and counts major national brands such as Whole Foods, Fidelity, and MGM Resorts as part of its expanding customer portfolio.

“Green Globes is filling a gap in the market,” stated Rich Mitchell, Managing Principal at Portland, Ore.-based Mackenzie and elected Chair of the Board of GBI. “It’s comprehensive and flexible, as well as time- and cost-effective. Design and operations teams are finding it a beneficial tool for their sustainability-minded owners.”

GBI has established a Canadian non-profit subsidiary—GB Initiative Canada—to support the growth and previously established use of Green Globes in the Canadian marketplace. 

For more information on GBI or Green Globes visit www.TheGBI.org and www.TheGBI.org/Canada.