Green Business Certification Inc. (GBCI), the organization independently recognizing excellence in green business performance and practice globally, is joining forces with the International Society of Sustainability Professionals (ISSP) to advance green and sustainable business practices through professional credentialing.

With project teams and professionals in over 167 countries, GBCI will leverage its resources, capacity, and experience to further enhance, scale and promote ISSP’s programs and credentials globally.

“As we continue to work toward a more sustainable world, we must ensure that professionals across all industries are armed with the knowledge and skills to help businesses enhance environmental performance and improve human health,” said Mahesh Ramanujam, president and CEO, GBCI and the U.S. Green Building Council. “Market transformation is about people, and through programs like those of ISSP, we are supporting the individuals who are driving change within their organizations and across many industries.”

ISSP currently offers two levels of professional certification. The ISSP Sustainability Associate focuses on individuals who are new to sustainability or work in an allied field, such as purchasing or human resources, while the ISSP Certified Sustainability Professional is geared toward individuals with five or more years of experience working directly in sustainability.

 “By working together, we can reach more professionals to ensure they have the skills, abilities, and resources needed to transform global business practices,” said Maureen Hart, executive director, ISSP. “We’ve been supporting one another’s work for quite some time now. I’m confident that together we can now make sustainability standard practice everywhere.”

Currently, GBCI has administered more than 203,000 professional credentials through programs like LEED AP, WELL AP, SITES AP and City Climate Planner.

Visit www.usgbc.org.