Buildings have long been established as a major contributor of carbon emissions, so industry leaders are developing standards for new building construction to address the problem.

In October, the International Code Council (ICC), Washington, D.C., announced the release of a new certification for Commercial Green Construction Professionals. It was developed in collaboration with the American Society of Heating, Refrigerating, and Air-Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE), Peachtree Corners, Ga.

Aspiring Commercial Green Construction Professionals can now take an International Green Construction Code (IgCC) exam to earn the designation.

According to the ICC, a certified commercial green construction professional will perform several vital functions related to green buildings. They will be responsible for plan reviews and project inspections for commercial buildings as they relate to the IgCC. The responsibilities will include design, construction methods and practices for siting; green construction materials; aspects of mechanical, electrical and efficiency; and sustainable operation, plans and reports.

On a broader level, the ICC sees the commercial green construction professional fulfilling an important societal role, one that reinforces health/life and safety benefits, is a leader in resource conservation and site regeneration, and an expert on building resiliency in the face of natural disasters and climate change.

The IgCC reflects ASHRAE Standard 189.1, a model code that contains minimum requirements for increasing the environmental and health performance of buildings' sites and structures. It applies to the design and construction of all types of commercial buildings.

The ICC is a nonprofit organization that develops a single set of national model construction codes known as the I-Codes.