Building Decarbonization Division Wins USGBC Award for Climate Leadership

Maryland Department of the Environment Recognized by U.S. Green Building Council for Climate Leadership

Building Decarbonization Division honored for organizational excellence

BALTIMORE (April 2, 2026) – The Maryland Department of the Environment (MDE) today announced that its Building Decarbonization Division, part of the Air & Radiation Administration’s Climate Change Program, has received the 2026 U.S. Green Building Council Local Leadership Award for Organizational Excellence in the Maryland market.

The U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) selected the MDE division for its work supporting USGBC’s mission to advance sustainable, resilient, and healthy buildings and communities in Maryland.

“This award reflects Maryland’s strong, sustained commitment to addressing climate change through coordinated leadership and action,” said MDE Secretary Serena McIlwain. “We are proud to receive this recognition from the U.S. Green Building Council as we remain focused on advancing solutions that protect public health, strengthen resilience, and ensure a sustainable future for all Marylanders.”

Buildings directly emit 15 percent of all greenhouse gas emissions in Maryland and consume 93 percent of the state’s electricity. The building decarbonization division’s job is to create regulations that ​advance next-generation buildings while moving towards healthier air. From clean heat to efficient cooling, these policies improve the everyday lives of Marylanders.

Decarbonizing buildings also means savings on monthly utility bills by installing insulation and high-efficiency technologies like modern heat pumps. Households and businesses can also move away from volatile fossil fuel prices for a predictable financial future. Beyond the savings, these upgrades create a healthier indoor environment by eliminating the nitrogen dioxide and carbon monoxide associated with older gas systems, which has been shown to significantly reduce respiratory issues like asthma.

USGBC is a non-profit organization known for developing the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) green building certification system. For more information, visit the USGBC news page.