U.S. Green Chamber of Commerce

What U.S. Green Chamber of Commerce does

U.S. Green Chamber of Commerce is a private, California-domiciled nonprofit organization headquartered in Solana Beach that positions itself as the sustainability-focused counterpart to traditional chambers of commerce. Founded in 2009 (with website content dating to 2010) and originally known as the Green Chamber of San Diego, it operates a membership-based model serving small, midsized, and large businesses, individual sustainability professionals, and affiliated regional chambers across at least six U.S. states (North Florida, Maryland, California, Florida, Massachusetts, Missouri) via the Chambers for Sustainability Coalition.

Its product and technology stack centers on a web-based platform built around four core asset classes: (1) an online certification program offering self-paced courses such as the Global Sustainability Business Associate Certification and Sustainable Fashion Certification, delivered through certification.usgreenchamber.com; (2) a free Policies Database containing over 500,000 sustainability policies spanning climate change, energy, waste, and air quality; (3) free Sustainability Toolkits covering eight domains from energy efficiency to alternative energy; and (4) research and advocacy content including the annual Chambers Sustainability Report (which analyzed 7,000+ chambers in 2024), webinars, summits, the Global Climate Pledge initiative targeting 2 billion people, and the Climate Counts scorecard partnership. There is no disclosed proprietary AI, mobile app, API, or SDK.

Revenue is generated through three primary streams: annual Business and Corporate Memberships, monthly Individual/Business Professionals Memberships, and unit-priced certifications, supplemented by sponsorship programs (e.g., Climate Counts). The organization operates with a small staff of roughly 10–15 employees led by CEO David Steel and Board Chair Michelle Thatcher, with a board drawing from Stonyfield Farm, Greener World Media, Green Alliance, Agriculture Capital, and Great Lakes Aquarium.

Name

U.S. Green Chamber of Commerce

Legal name

U.S. Green Chamber of Commerce

Website

https://usgreenchamber.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2009

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

The U.S. Green Chamber of Commerce is a Solana Beach, California-based nonprofit membership organization that serves sustainability-oriented businesses, professionals, and regional chambers through certifications, a 500,000-policy database, sustainability toolkits, advocacy programs, and the Chambers for Sustainability Coalition.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Sustainability Business Services and Advocacy

NAICS

Professional Organizations (81392)

SIC

Services-Membership Organizations (8600)

akta.pro primary industry

Corporate Foundations & CSR Grantmaking (BPAGAKAC)

Keywords

• Sustainability certification programs
• Green business membership
• Sustainability policy database
• Environmental advocacy coalition
• Chamber of commerce services

Headquarters

HQ city

Solana Beach

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Operations, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Membership Fees: The organization offers Business and Corporate Membership as well as Individual/Business Professionals Membership tiers, providing recurring membership revenue. Membership provides access to networking, certifications, toolkits, and other member resources.
2. Certification Programs:
3. Sponsorships:

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

U.S. Green Chamber of Commerce is a membership-based nonprofit organization that provides sustainability-focused programs for businesses and individuals, including paid certification programs for business professionals, a database of over 500,000 sustainability policies, sustainability toolkits, advocacy initiatives like the Global Climate Pledge, and networking opportunities through regional chapters. Its offering connects green-minded businesses, chambers of commerce, and individual professionals with sustainability resources, educational content, certifications, and advocacy efforts.

Product overview

U.S. Green Chamber of Commerce is a membership-based organization offering sustainability-focused programs for businesses. The core offerings include certification programs (Global Sustainable Business Associate Certification, Sustainable Fashion Certification, and Sustainability Certification for the Business Professional), the Global Sustainability Business Solutions program that connects solutions providers with businesses, and research publications like the Chambers Sustainability Report analyzing over 7,000 chambers. Additional offerings include sustainability toolkits covering topics from energy efficiency to waste management, a policies database with over 500,000 sustainability policies, webinars and educational programs, and advocacy initiatives including the Global Climate Pledge aiming for 2 billion people taking climate action. The organization operates through chapters across multiple U.S. states and partners with Climate Counts for climate education.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Business and Corporate Membership Annual subscription membership that provides companies of all sizes with comprehensive access to networking, certifications, toolkits, and member resources through the U.S. Green Chamber community. Designed for businesses seeking sustainability leadership recognition and networking with like-minded businesses.
• Individual / Business Professionals Membership Monthly subscription membership providing individual sustainability professionals and small business owners access to networking, resources, and member benefits, including credentials and learning opportunities.
• Global Sustainability Business Associate Certification An online certification program that provides foundational knowledge to build a successful sustainability platform and implement green practices in business, covering social, environmental and economic sustainability practices.
• Sustainable Fashion Certification An online certification focused on sustainable fashion practices, accessible from desktop, laptop, tablet, or smartphone for busy working professionals.
• Sustainability Certification for the Business Professional An essential online certification providing complete overview of social, environmental and economic sustainability practices and how to apply them in a business context.
• Global Sustainability Business Solutions A program that connects sustainability solutions providers with businesses that would benefit from these solutions, providing relevant connections, opportunities, introductions, and overviews on innovative sustainability solutions.
• Sustainability Policies Database A database containing over 500,000 sustainability policies on climate change, energy, waste, air quality, and more, designed for advocates, policymakers, researchers, and business leaders.
• Sustainability Toolkits Comprehensive toolkits covering various sustainability topics including Chamber Toolkits, Social Sustainability, Green Transportation, Energy Efficiency, Outreach, Waste Management, Water Conservation, and Alternative Energy.
• Chambers Sustainability Report An annual comprehensive overview of the social and environmental activities of chambers of commerce in the United States, analyzing over 7,000 chambers of commerce.
• Global Climate Pledge A collaborative initiative with regional, national, and global organizations aimed at getting 2 billion people taking climate action, described as one of the most ambitious solution-based environmental movements.
• Climate Counts A collaborative effort with Climate Counts to bring consumers and companies together to address solutions around global climate change, providing educational materials and climate information to businesses through company scorecard ratings.

Quantifiable outcome

• Over 500,000 sustainability policies accessible through the online database
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers7 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature5 records

Partnerships

Five partnerships are on record, tiered core, minor and flagship.

• Climate CountscoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2017In 2017, Climate Counts joined forces with the U.S. Green Chamber of Commerce to provide additional educational climate outreach to businesses throughout the nation. Climate Counts brought its years of leadership and knowledge of climate change and impact, extending to a larger network through the Chamber's existing chapters and branches. The partnership expanded educational materials and climate information to growing and diverse business sectors, with Climate Counts playing a key role in informing business leaders within various industries.
• We Are Still InminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe organization participates in the 'We Are Still In' movement, a coalition of businesses, cities, and organizations committed to climate action despite changes in federal policy. This positions the Chamber as a connector between businesses and broader climate action initiatives.
• Global Climate Pledge PartnersflagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe Global Climate Pledge is a collaborative initiative with regional, national, and global organizations to create one of the most ambitious solution-based environmental movements, aiming to get 2 billion people taking climate action. The partnership aggregates diverse organizations committed to climate mitigation.
• Chambers for Sustainability CoalitioncoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorA coalition of chambers of commerce united to promote sustainability. The Coalition provides toolkits for chambers to help their businesses implement sustainability practices, along with ongoing educational webinars. Over 7,000 chambers analyzed in the 2024 Sustainability Report.
• Union of Concerned ScientistsminorOthers

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Green America: A national nonprofit that mobilizes consumers and businesses around sustainability and social justice through its Green Business certification, member benefits, and advocacy—overlapping directly with USGCC's member base, certification model, and sustainability mission.
• B Lab (B Corporation): A nonprofit that certifies B Corporations globally, with a sustainability-focused certification program for businesses and a community of mission-driven companies—closely comparable to USGCC's certification-led, member-based sustainability business model.
• American Sustainable Business Council (ASBC): A national business advocacy organization representing sustainable businesses in policy discussions—directly comparable to USGCC's advocacy role for sustainability-minded companies and its policy database/advocacy work.
• Ceres: A nonprofit sustainability advocacy organization that works with investors, companies, and policymakers to address climate change and other ESG issues—comparable in its coalition-building model, corporate sustainability mission, and policy engagement.
• Net Impact: A nonprofit membership organization for professionals using business to drive social and environmental impact, with chapters and professional development programs—overlaps with USGCC's professional certification, chapter network, and member community.
• 1% for the Planet: A nonprofit that certifies businesses donating 1% of sales to environmental causes—similar to USGCC as a sustainability credentialing and member-network organization serving purpose-driven businesses.
• US SIF (Forum for Sustainable and Responsible Investment): A nonprofit membership organization advancing sustainable investing, with members including investment professionals and institutions—shares USGCC's sustainability-focused membership association model and policy engagement function.

Broad incumbents

• U.S. Chamber of Commerce: The largest business association in the U.S., representing all industries and operating on a much broader scale—comparable as a chamber-of-commerce model but not sustainability-specialized; a potential channel partner for sustainability programming.
• GreenBiz: A media and events company serving the sustainable business community with research, conferences, and editorial content—operates in the same audience as USGCC but with a media/communications business model rather than membership.

Emerging players

• Climate Reality Project: A nonprofit focused on climate education and action through training, leadership programs, and advocacy—adjacent to USGCC's climate education and pledge initiatives, with a more global advocacy orientation.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks7 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/usgreenchamber
• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCKxkgMlkih2m6ySp5Rg7VGg
• Facebookfacebook.com/usgreenchamber
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/u-s--green-chamber-of-commerce
• Instagraminstagram.com/usgreenchamber

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles19 records

Subsidiaries1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about U.S. Green Chamber of Commerce