The Center for Green Schools at the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC), along with the World Green Building Council (WGBC), has launched the Global Coalition for Green Schools.

The Coalition has 29 founding members that will promote green schools within their countries. The members represent Green Building Councils from countries including Kenya, India, Canada and China. Each member organization has committed to leading a national coalition for green schools within its respective countries.

“The Global Coalition for Green Schools is a unique forum to inspire national action that ensures our schools are healthy, safe and sustainable learning environments,” says Jane Henley, CEO of the WGBC. “By focusing on schools, GBCs now have a chance that’s of paramount importance to work with one another toward our common goal of green schools for all within a generation.”

The coalition has created three pillars to define a green school: minimize environmental impact, optimize human health and performance, and foster a generation of environmentally literate students. Members will share information through the coalition to help integrate these values into the education system.

National coalitions will work with influential leaders from non-profits, corporations, universities and government to assist in their green schools movement.