The Vermont Green Building Network (VGBN) has a longstanding commitment to addressing and integrating the important issues of diversity, equity, inclusion and justice (DEI and justice) into our work and the built environment. Establishing a diverse and inclusive culture is a priority, and VGBN invites our members, partners, and greater green building community along with us on this journey of addressing and integrating these essential issues into our work and goals.

As VGBN works to develop an understanding and plan of action regarding the role our network can play in holistically integrating DEI and justice into the built environment, our organization has outlined key issues and justice commitments. 

VGBN understands that everyone is affected and impacted by the built environment, but not everyone is impacted or affected equally. VGBN commits to identifying who is adversely affected by the built environment and/or who is not benefitting from green building initiatives. Ultimately, VGBN aims to diversify who is benefitting from green design, construction and building operation practices.

Furthermore, VGBN commits to understanding what voices are currently represented or underrepresented when it comes to impacting the built environment. VGBN commits to diversifying the voices and people influencing and impacting the Vermont green design, construction and building operations industry. VGBN aims to include diverse voices at the table, including consideration of geographical representation, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, race and ethnicity, cultural and economic background, disability, veteran status, and any other marginalized group.

These are some of the actions we are pursuing to address these key issues:

• Diversify VGBN’s partners, members, and Board of Directors, including establishing collaborative relationships with key partners to deepen our understanding and ability to address key justice commitments.

• Determine how VGBN can play a more active role in advocacy work as it relates to positively impacting DEI and justice  issues as they relate to the built environment.

• Determine VGBN’s role in positively impacting DEI and justice issues as they relate to workforce development in the context of the green design, construction and building operation industry.