Green Office Network

As the Office of Sustainability's primary program for engaging university employees, the Green Office Network is both a sustainability certification program and a coalition of aligned staff working to advance sustainability among their teams. By encouraging practices like turning off unused electronics, printing double-sided, and stocking office kitchens with reusable dishware, the Green Office Network aims to deepen sustainability engagement and generate greater impact. Members are provided with resources and support, updated with the latest news, and tapped to provide feedback on emerging sustainability initiatives.  Join the community today by completing the certification process and making your workplace a greener space.

 

Green Office Certification

Green office certification is a great way to inspire change within your department. You'll also join the Green Office Network, a community of leaders and employees who are committed to cultivating a sustainable future. A chosen Green Leader for your office will shepherd the certification process and maintain the certification. Offices are certified on a point system indicating their performance level from one to four, the lowest certification being a score of 20 points. Below is a summary of the process of obtaining Green Office Certification. If you have any questions, please contact Juliana Carvalho at the Office of Sustainability at julianacgwu [dot] edu (julianac[at]gwu[dot]edu).

1. Choose a Green Leader for your office.
2. Green Leader fills out the checklist: https://forms.gle/fXTm8NU4gDSQjJFZ8
3. After you complete the checklist, a member of the Office of Sustainability team will reach out to schedule a walkthrough and officially certify your office.
4. Once your office is certified, you will officially be part of the Green Office Network and will be added to our email list and invited to our upcoming Green Office Network Town Hall. 

Who are Green Leaders?

A Green Leader is the office member in charge of completing the checklist, maintaining and improving commitments, encouraging office member engagement, and re-certifying the office each year.  Leaders are also expected to attend and participate in the larger Green Office Network meeting and events.

• Who can be a Green Leader?
  • If you are currently an employee in a GW office that is not certified as a Green Office or your office is re-certifying and needs a new Green Leader, then you are eligible. This is an exciting opportunity for anyone interested in sustainability or taking a leadership role. 
• How can I become a Green Leader?
  • Talk to your office about certification and seek approval from your fellow office members. Then, complete the checklist. 

What is the Checklist?

The Checklist is a form filled out by a Green Leader to measure the current sustainability performance score of your office. Points are awarded for the completion of certain projects and practices in areas such as low-carbon commuting, water conservation, kitchen and appliances usage, and responsible electricity and paper usage. The Checklist should take approximately 20-30 minutes to complete.

How does our office get re-certified?

Offices that are re-certifying only need to email Juliana Carvalho at the Office of Sustainability at julianacgwu [dot] edu, to let us know you’d like to re-certify. Green Leaders should download and complete the checklist, then work with the Office of Sustainability team to schedule a walkthrough.  

Get Started with the Checklist
 

Currently Certified Offices (2025)

Level 4 is the highest level an office can achieve. Offices can move up a level at each re-certification by scoring more points on their checklist.