Is Green Accreditation For You?
Looking to add some credentials to your new venture? Consider joining a trade organization that provides education, technical assistance, credentials and a directory listing. In a competitive marketplace these kinds of third-party endorsements can provide you with a way to improve your qualifications, expand your offerings and differentiate yourself from the competition.
One of the first and best examples of a green credentialing organization is the Green Restaurant Association. GRA provides credentials, endorsements and technical assistance not only to restaurants, but also to manufacturers, vendors, organizations and media that serve them.
The construction trades industry, largely in response to the need for green-trained trades people on LEED-certified projects, has a number of good credentialing programs. There are programs led by the US Green Building Council such as the LEED Accredited Professionals (AP) program for individuals and USGBC Membership for organizations. The National Association of Home Builders’ Certified Green Professional™ designation “certifies builders, remodelers and other industry professionals who incorporate green building principles into homes” and also includes manufacturers, vendors and service providers among their ranks. Green Advantage, a non-profit with a mission to certify building-related practitioners, has an excellent accreditation program. Although designed primarily for contractors, subcontractors and trades people, Green Advantage’s certified building practitioners include educators, consultants, manufacturers and vendors.
Every day a new green trade group seems to be opening its doors. The most recent entry in the US is GreenPlumbers, a organization that offers a training and accreditation program focusing on energy efficiency and water saving technologies. They are new to the US but have had a strong presence in Australia where it was started in 2001 after the infamous 10-year drought. They are not shy in touting the fact that their members are trained to educate customers and thereby influence purchase decisions. They too allow organizations, manufacturers and corporations to become affiliates.
Caveat emptor: Not all trade groups are created equal. Some provide less benefit than others (In general, the more consolidated the industry, the less likely they are to have a green trade group of any worth since the big boys generally don’t need association assistance, technical or otherwise.) Other trade groups may be the offspring of manufacturers or trade alliances seeking to spread greenwash. Make sure you look at the membership list to see who is represented and feel free to call a few random members to ask their opinion of the group.
That being said, whether you are a plumber, a restaurateur, a builder or someone who services them, there is probably a green trade association out there for you. If you are a member of a green trade organization that you have found helpful, please share the details with us.
Photo: Craig Jewell, www.sxc.hu
I think in our case Green Accreditation is necessary. We have have invested in what green limousines we could get, and would like our clients to know that not only are we a reputable limousine service, we are making every effort to make our whole business eco-friendly. In this day and time, we feel that our clients deserve and prefer this option and commitment to the community.
I have taken several free GreenPlumbers workshops, and our company has already seen a steady growth in revenue now that we are able to cater to the affluent market that requests green-products. Green accreditation is important for all service businesses that try to separate themselves from the crowd. Another great article Jennifer!
Well put! Have you found a suitable accrediting organization? Transportation is such an large and important industry. We’d love to hear about it. Thanks for the feedback.
Thanks for sharing, Mark.