Green San Diego

Everywhere we look companies are finding new ways to "go green." Being kind to our environment is something that will benefit all of us now and in the future. Here you can find ways to do your part with a list of tips on how to help the environment. You can also find local businesses doing their part, such as cleaning services, clothing stores, restaurants, cafes and more.

Green Events

Become a San Diego LEED-ER!

What Is LEED?

Developed by the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC), The Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) is a green-building certification system that encourages the global adoption of sustainable green building and development practices in local communities. The council offers a concise framework for identifying and implementing practical and measurable green building design, construction, operations and maintenance solutions. There are several USGBC organizations throughout the country, including the San Diego Chapter.

What Does USGBC San Diego Do?

The USGBC San Diego Chapter provides local green building resources, education and leadership opportunities. The vision of USGBC San Diego is to create an environmentally responsible, healthy, and prosperous environment that improves the quality of life for San Diegans. The purpose of the organization is to work together as a community of leaders to transform the way buildings and communities are designed, built and operated.

How Do LEED Buildings Save Energy?

LEED-certified buildings are efficient to operate, and many feature on-site renewable power generation through photovoltaic (solar) panels and solar hot-water (solar thermal) panels. They also use local building materials, which typically have a smaller carbon footprint, and a number of LEED buildings also have preferred parking for van pools and charging stations for electric vehicles.

Who Uses LEED?

State and local governments across the country are adopting LEED for public-owned and public-funded buildings. San Diego's architects, real estate professionals, facility managers, engineers, interior designers, landscape architects, construction managers, lenders and government officials can use LEED to create sustainable built environments. In addition, The LEED for Neighborhood Development program extends the benefits from building development to neighborhood design in San Diego.

According to the USGBC San Diego Chapter, there are 31 LEED-certified and 197 registered buildings within San Diego County, some of which will be coming up for re-certification in 2010. The City of San Diego does require any of their new buildings to meet the LEED Silver Level of Certification at a minimum.

How Do I Become LEED Certified?

Third-party certification through the independent Green Building Certification Institute (GBCI.org) ensures that LEED buildings in San Diego meet the highest green building performance and standards: energy savings, water efficiency, CO₂ emissions reduction, improved indoor environmental quality and sensitivity to their impacts. LEED-certified buildings must be re-certified at least once every five years under the USGBC's current rules. Owners should be prepared for re-certification and consistently report green practices to retain their building certifications. To learn more about the ratings system and how to become certified, view the LEED Rating System.

Chula Vista Takes Action on Energy Efficiency

The City of Chula Vista is achieving outstanding energy efficiency and greenhouse gas (GHG) reductions by joining Cool Planet Project, an energy efficiency and climate change mitigation program hosted by San Diego Gas & Electric (SDG&E) and The Climate Registry.

To qualify for the project, The City of Chula Vista made significant energy savings through the installation of energy efficiency projects on facilities throughout the city and reducing municipal energy - the equivalent to removing more than 200 cars from Chula Vista's city streets annually.

Chula Vista also received San Diego County's "Climate Action Leader" designation by the California Climate Action Registry. The designation is given to local governments and businesses that successfully build their greenhouse gas emissions inventory according to protocol and publicly report it to the Registry.

The Green Chamber Walks the Walk

In an effort to help local businesses and communities thrive in the emerging green economy, local business owners and the Solana Beach Chamber of Commerce (SBCC) have formed the Green Chamber of San Diego County, a countywide organization that serves as a platform for businesses, investors, government agencies and non-profits organizations to accelerate green commerce.

"We want to help the county's businesses take advantage of the countless opportunities in the expanding green business sector, "says Green Chamber CEO Peter Zahn. "The Natural Marketing Institute estimates that the market for environmentally friendly, "sustainable" products and services in the USA is $209 billion, growing to $400 billion in 2010. We have an opportunity to bring a piece of that business to San Diego County."

SBCC President David Carroll adds, "We are excited to participate in the launch of a Green Chamber. Opportunities for sustainable businesses are wide open, and we believe the Green Chamber can propel both start-ups and established companies. We invite businesses that offer or would like to get involved with environmentally friendly products and services."

For a small membership fee, members are asked to make a scalable green commitment, or "walk the walk," as Zahn says, by taking environmentally friendly actions in their businesses.  For more information and membership details, visit the Green Chamber site.

Resources for "Keeping Green."

Cleaning Services Ecoclean Services Interiors for Healing Pure Cleaning Services Waterless Auto Shine	Business Resources Go Green Book Recycled Products Cooperative San Diego Area Green Business Program San Diego Natural Guide Angel Print
Clothing & Accessories APRL Thrift Store Ecotopiia Manic Organic Raam Raj Clothing Simple Shoes The Verde Bag	Restaurants & Cafes Blissfull Living Food & Juice The Greenery Raw Food Café Jimbo's...Naturally! Ranchos Cocina Roots Sipz Vegetarian Fuzion Café
Health & Fitness Acupuncture & Healing Arts Center Wild Harmony Wellness Center Sensible Organics Conscious Movements Play It Again Sports Aveda, Lemongrass Salon & Spa