Atthe Greenbuild International Conference & Expo International Summit, the Center for Green Schools at the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC), in conjunction with the World Green Building Council (WGBC), announced the 29 founding members of the Global Coalition for Green Schools. The Global Coalition for Green Schools works collectively to shape schools and communities to fundamentally change the way students learn about the world around them.

Each of the 29 founding members have committed to establishing and leading a national coalition for green schools within each of their respective countries. The goal of these coalitions is to promote a shared vision of green schools for all within this generation. Members of the coalition will share best practices, resources and case studies, provide tools and infrastructure to this growing network, and introduce programs, initiatives and campaigns that can be replicated around the world.

Current members of the Global Coalition for Green Schools include: Argentina GBC, GBC Australia, Botswana GBC, GBC Brasil, Canada GBC, Chile GBC, China GBC, Colombia GBC, Croatia GBC, Egypt GBC, Emirates GBC, Global Communities, GBC Ghana, Hong Kong GBC, Indian GBC, GBC Italia, Israel GBC, Jordan GBC, Kenya GBC, Mauritius GBC, Namibia GBC, Peru GBC, Qatar GBC, Romania GBC, Singapore GBC, GBC Slovenia, SUMe, Turkish GBC, USGBC.

“As members of the Global Coalition for Green Schools, we are united in our common pursuit of healthy, safe, resource-efficient schools that educate sustainability natives,” said Rachel Gutter, director of the Center for Green Schools at USGBC. “But what inspires us and keeps us humble is seeing how much we have to learn from one another. Our approaches to greening schools may look very different, but what we all desire is to give our children every possible opportunity to succeed.”

“The Global Coalition for Green Schools is a unique forum to inspire national action that ensures our schools are healthy, safe and sustainable learning environments,” said Jane Henley, CEO of the World Green Building Council. “We know that schools are at the center of life in many communities. By focusing on schools and all related aspects of education, GBCs now have a chance that’s of paramount importance to work with one another toward our common goal of green schools for all within a generation.”

Because schools look different from country to country around the world, the Coalition has identified three pillars by which to define a green school – minimize environmental impact, optimize human health and performance and foster a generation of environmentally literate students.

By highlighting how sustainability can be woven into infrastructure, culture and curriculum, the Global Coalition aims to foster these ideals in schools around the world. The Coalition facilitates information sharing that will help build these values into the education system in innovative ways.

National coalitions will bring together influential leaders in their country’s green schools movement including non-profits, corporations, community members, universities and government.

To learn more about the Global Coalition for Green Schools and the Center’s international efforts, please visit centerforgreenschools.org/globalcoalition.