Cradle to Cradle Building Charter

Traditionally, designers of buildings try to minimize their negative effects on the environment by attempting to reduce their impact on the ecology to zero. These “green” or “sustainable” building practices are ultimately “less bad” approaches that focus on reducing impacts and minimizing footprints. Ironically the message from this philosophy is that it would be best not to build the building at all.

Cradle to Cradle buildings are different. They are designed from the beginning to create positive impacts and beneficial footprints. Because of the complexity of buildings, and because the vari-
ous Cradle to Cradle principles and protocols were only recently developed, a 100 percent Cradle to Cradle building does not exist yet. However it is still possible to design and construct a building informed by Cradle to Cradle principles, incorporating a wide range of C2C products and materials already found in the marketplace. While a Cradle to Cradle building does not need to be perfect, it does need to evidence a positive design agenda.

The Cradle to Cradle Building Charter serves as a clear delineation of the core philosophy, principles and guiding practices that inform the creation of Cradle to Cradle buildings. It is intended that the ad- herents to the Cradle to Cradle Building Charter form a community for innovation, collaboration and support.