Vicki Worden
Net Zero or Net Confusion? GBI’s Fight for Clarity in a Carbon-Crazed World – Ep 79 with Vicki Worden
In this episode of Better Buildings for Humans, host Joe Menchefski reconnects with Vicki Worden, CEO of the Green Building Initiative (GBI), to dive deep into their groundbreaking Journey to Net Zero program. With 2024 marking both her 10th year at GBI and one of the organization’s most impactful years, Vicki shares how their pilot program exceeded expectations—evaluating 154 buildings and delivering real, measurable reductions in site EUI and carbon emissions.
Joe and Vicki explore the complexities of utility data, the evolution of their Net Zero Calculator, and why transparency in carbon accounting is critical. They also discuss how policy is embracing net zero, how GBI supports portfolio-wide performance evaluations, and what’s next for the program. Whether you're a building owner, consultant, or sustainability pro, this conversation unpacks essential tools and insights for the path to net zero.
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More About Vicki Worden
Entrepreneur, sustainability professional, and now President & CEO of the Green Building Initiative (GBI), Vicki Worden has supported a myriad of industries corporations, government agencies, and international nonprofits to advance sustainability goals while increasing return on investment. At GBI, Worden works with a 15-member Board of Directors and aninternational network of 20,000 individuals and corporations with a vision to provide sustainable, healthy, and resilient buildings for all.
GBI provides robust yet accessible green building standards and certification programs, such as its whole building, holistic certification program called Green Globes®, and this year is celebrating having certified more than 700 million square feet of space globally. Green Globes is one of two green building certifications recognized by the U.S. and Canadian federal governments for use on government buildings, and its global recognition continues to grow as its client base includes multi-national real estate investment trusts (REITs), corporations, and consultancies.
Additionally, Worden spearheaded the creation of a decarbonization rating system for commercial buildings that launched in late 2023 with 170 buildings from a variety of asset classes and countries. GBI’s Green Globes Journey to ZeroTM is accessible to all building owners, providing third-party review and progress reports aimed at supporting real estate owners with their investor and government reporting on site energy and emissions reductions towards a goal of Zero certification.
In her previous role as President of Worden Associates, Inc., Worden provided sustainability consulting and strategic planning expertise for a diverse range of industries including solar, wind, parking, furniture, mattress, composites, wood products, and rainwater harvesting. She is a member of the U.S. Women Executives in Building and a former Chair of the National Institute of Building Sciences Consultative Council. Worden holds an MBA from Loyola University in Maryland and a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science & International Relations from West Chester University. She resides in Camden, Maine, USA.
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