The U.S. Green Building Council California (USGBC California) has officially acquired the “Contractor’s Commitment to Sustainable Building Practices” from Green Commons, marking a major step toward scaling sustainable construction practices nationwide.

The Contractor’s Commitment, previously operated by Green Commons through its Sustainable Construction Leaders Peer Network, is a green building program created by contractors for contractors to help reduce environmental impact and promote jobsite wellness, waste and water management, sustainable materials, and carbon reduction.

According to USGBC California, this acquisition lays the groundwork for more widespread adoption and a new phase of growth.

“We’re excited to add the Contractor’s Commitment to our stable of programs accelerating sustainability in the construction industry—from advancing zero emission construction equipment to contractor training and workforce development—in California and throughout the United States,” said Ben Stapleton, executive director of USGBC California. “Following four years of successful pilots with two dozen leading general contractors, the Contractor’s Commitment is poised to take off.”

The five key areas of focus in the program include:

• Carbon Reduction: GHG emissions reduction across operations and supply chains.
• Jobsite Wellness: Employee health and safety practices.
• Waste Management: Strategies to reduce and divert construction waste.
• Water Management: Efficient use of water during construction.
• Materials: Support for sustainable and non-toxic materials.

Nadav Malin, CEO of Green Commons, welcomed the transition. “I’m happy that USGBC California has committed to the further growth and development of the Contractor’s Commitment and helping it fulfill its potential as a driver of sustainable construction practices,” he said.

The program has already made an impact: it was cited in Engineering News-Record’s Top 100 Contractors List and helped shape new LEED v5 credits. Construction firms have also begun referencing it in ESG reporting.

Eden Axelrad, Clayco’s director of climate change and decarbonization, said the initiative helped improve accountability and data tracking across projects. “This not only helps streamline efforts in the short term but also allows for improved benchmarking and collaboration,” she said. “We are looking forward to continuing our commitment and encourage others to take this step toward environmental responsibility.”

As part of the relaunch, USGBC California plans to roll out a redesigned website for the Contractor’s Commitment that incorporates industry feedback and expands its utility. The refreshed platform will offer tools and training for contractors, highlight workforce development initiatives, enable improved data collection, and recognize industry leaders making measurable progress in sustainability.

By bringing the Contractor’s Commitment under its umbrella, USGBC California reinforces its broader goal of making sustainable building a core expectation rather than an exception across the construction landscape.

The move signals that environmental accountability in the commercial construction sector is becoming increasingly standardized—and influential in both public recognition and project procurement.

Originally reported by Haley Rischar in CD Recycler.