“The United States government has an opportunity to lead on this, and in so doing, to strengthen global partnerships, yet it has chosen to walk away,” USGBC President Mahesh Ramanujam said in a statement. “Although the pullout of the U.S. government from the Paris agreement will be felt across the world, the surge of climate commitments and actions by the private sector, nongovernmental organizations, governments, cities and states will only serve to strengthen the green building movement and keep pushing us forward.”

Ramanujam said the USGBC remains committed to a greener economy.

“With the work of our organization, our members, our volunteers and many others, we have reached the point where the transition to a low-carbon economy is inevitable, but making the transition remains urgent,” he said.