The first set of codes and standards for green construction will be released this coming Monday, a landmark achievement that proponents say will accelerate construction of high-performance green buildings nationwide.

The International Green Construction Code (IGCC) will enhance existing regulations already followed by all federal agencies, states, territories and the District of Columbia when designing, constructing, operating and maintaining facilities. It will provide the building industry with the first-ever regulatory framework for designing, building and renovating homes and businesses that are environmentally sustainable.

The IGCC will give builders common guidelines to follow regarding all aspects of green buildings, including energy and water efficiency, use of materials and resources, indoor air quality and greenhouse gas emissions.

The code was developed jointly by four associations: the International Code Council; the American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air Conditioning Engineers; the U.S. Green Building Council; and the Illuminating Engineering Society of North America.

"The emergence of green building codes and standards is an important next step for the green building movement, establishing a much-needed set of baseline regulations for green buildings that is adoptable, usable and enforceable by jurisdictions," said Richard Weiland, CEO of the International Code Council, which develops the codes and standards used to build residential and commercial facilities.

Representatives from several federal agencies, including the General Services Administration and Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, sat on working groups that helped develop the first version of the code, which will be posted at http://www.iccsafe.org.