Green Business Certification Inc. (GBCI), the premier organization independently recognizing excellence in green business industry performance and practice globally, and the International Parking & Mobility Institute (IPMI), the world’s largest parking association, have renewed and updated a memorandum of understanding (MOU) for their joint program, Parksmart. Updating and extending this collaboration recognizes the importance of sustainable parking facility design and management to the built environment. It comes as an increasing number of projects have achieved/registered for the Parksmart program, recognizing the importance of sustainable parking facility design and management to the built environment.
Parksmart is the world’s only certification system designed to advance sustainable mobility through smarter parking structure design and operation. Formally known as Green Garage Certification, Parksmart was developed by experts from a range of related fields, including parking, architecture, engineering, technology, property management, and academia. Since its inception, the Parksmart program has registered more than 200 projects and certified more than 75 parking projects. It assesses 50 elements of parking facility sustainability, including management practices that maximize performance while minimizing waste; programs that encourage alternative modes of transportation and community engagement; and efficient, sustainable technology and structural design.
In the U.S., 28% of greenhouse gas emissions come from the transportation sector. Modernizing the infrastructure and systems that connect buildings to mobility networks is critical to decarbonizing the transportation sector. As the world rapidly urbanizes, Parksmart-certified facilities will accelerate sustainable mobility while reducing resource consumption. Under the strengthened partnership, the two organizations will align their roles. GBCI will continue to administer the program and perform technical reviews, while IPMI will lead in engaging with the market and industry leaders.
“Parksmart is the parking, transportation, and mobility industry’s gold standard for sustainable parking structures, practices, and business models,” said Shawn Conrad, CAE, IPMI CEO. “This newly reinvigorated partnership will put additional resources into promoting the certification and offering it to a wider audience of parking professionals. Parksmart will continue to accelerate the incorporation of sustainable elements in the transportation ecosystems of tomorrow.”
“Sustainability in parking is integral to decarbonizing the built environment and supporting more livable, vibrant communities,” said Sarah Zaleski, chief products officer at USGBC and GBCI. “This agreement continues our mission to recognize excellence in green performance and practice, while taking the program’s promotion directly to the parking and mobility community through IPMI’s extensive communications channels.”
About Green Business Certification Inc. (GBCI)
GBCI is the world’s leading sustainability and health certification and credentialing body, independently recognizing excellence in performance and practice globally while promoting adoption of building and business practices that continually and measurably improve health, equity, resilience, and environmental wellbeing for all. GBCI administers project certifications and professional credentials and certificates, including Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) green building rating systems, TRUE certification for zero waste, the Sustainable SITES Initiative (SITES), EDGE (Excellence in Design for Greater Efficiencies), and Investor Confidence Project (ICP) for energy efficiency retrofits.
About IPMI
The International Parking & Mobility Institute (IPMI) is the world’s leading association for parking, transportation, and mobility professionals. The global authority for professionals shaping the industry, IPMI empowers leaders at every level through education, industry-leading certification, thought leadership, research, advocacy, and dynamic community engagement. Representing experts across the public and private sectors worldwide, IPMI drives innovation, strengthens operational excellence, and advances the parking ecosystem. By fostering a vibrant global community of expertise, IPMI helps organizations deliver smarter parking and mobility solutions that strengthen economies and improve everyday life.
