MILAN--(BUSINESS WIRE)--May 7, 2026--
Green Business Certification Inc. Europe ( GBCI ), is hosting Circle 2026, the annual flagship event of the European LEED community, taking place in Milan from May 6–8 and marking its fifth anniversary.
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At the center of discussions is LEED v5, the latest version of the world’s most widely used green building rating system, as a bridge to EU Taxonomy alignment - a critical priority for the European market, where regulatory pressure and investor demand are accelerating the integration of certification, finance, and ESG reporting.
GBCI Europe Impact Report 2026: European Real Estate Shifts from Sustainability to Risk Management
As part of the main conference program, Peter Templeton, President and CEO of USGBC and GBCI will present the GBCI Europe Impact Report 2026, based on data analysis of LEED certification performance across key European markets. The report highlights how the built environment is evolving in response to decarbonization, resilience, and growing ESG demands, while confirming strong alignment across core performance areas such as energy efficiency, operational performance, and indoor environmental quality.
Milan Selected to Host Circle 2026 as Italy’s Market Gains Momentum
Milan’s selection as host city underscores Italy’s position as a mature and rapidly advancing market, where LEED certification is increasingly embedded in investment, development, and asset management strategies. In 2025, Italy ranked third in Europe for LEED certification activity. Early 2026 data already indicates accelerating momentum, with certification volumes increasing nearly 1.8 times year-over-year, strengthening the country’s position in the race for leadership in 2026.
GBCI Europe acknowledges the support of Circle 2026 Platinum sponsors, Daikin Europe N.V. and RISE S.r.l., as well as GBC Italia as the official communication partner.
About Green Business Certification Inc. (GBCI)
GBCI administers project certifications and professional credentials and certificates including Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design ( LEED ) green building rating systems, EDGE (Excellence in Design for Greater Efficiencies), TRUE certification for zero waste, the Sustainable SITES Initiative ( SITES ), and Investor Confidence Project ( ICP ) for energy efficiency retrofits. For more information, visit gbci.org and connect on LinkedIn.
Porta Nuova, Milan - LEED v4.1 Communities: Existing, Gold certification. Photo courtesy of COIMA.
KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia (AP) — Budget airline AirAsia is ordering 150 Airbus A220-300 jets in a deal valued at about $19 billion at list prices, marking the largest single order ever placed for the A220 planes.
The deal was announced Thursday at an Airbus factory in Mirabel, Quebec. Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney attended.
Airlines are modernizing their fleets and moving to better manage rising costs by purchasing fuel-efficient narrow-body jets.
The Iran war has added to those pressures, pushing prices for all sorts of fuels higher.
AirAsia said in a statement that the A220 aircraft is more fuel efficient and emits less carbon, helping to boost efficiency and better cope with high fuel prices and other costs. With a capacity of up to 160 seats, it can reach profitability with fewer passengers, helping to open up smaller, high-growth markets and secondary hubs that were previously commercially unviable, it said.
Tony Fernandes, the airline's co-founder and adviser, said the order reflected the group’s long-term growth ambitions and focus on cutting operating costs.
“In an environment of high fuel prices and volatility, the answer is not to stand still, it’s to double down on efficiency,” said Fernandes, who is also CEO of Capital A, the majority stakeholder in the airline. “This order reflects our long-term discipline and the scale of our ambitions. The A220 is the perfect tool for our next phase of growth."
AirAsia has the option to increase the order to as many as 300 aircraft, covering the wider A220 family and potential future variants. Airlines often get a discount from list prices when they buy in bulk.
Delivery of the aircraft is due to begin in 2028 and AirAsia said it will serve destinations across Southeast Asia and the wider Asia-Pacific. That will free up larger A320s and A321s for mid-haul routes and A330s to fly longer-haul routes to Europe, Australia and North America.
The order is a boost for Airbus, pushing its total firm orders for the A220 planes beyond 1,000. As of the end of March 2026, Airbus said it had delivered 501 A220 aircraft to 25 carriers.
Canada's Prime Minister Mark Carney speaks during an event at the Airbus A220 Delivery Center in Mirabel, Que., Wednesday, May 6, 2026, where AirAsia placed a landmark order for 150 Airbus A220 aircraft. (Graham Hughes/The Canadian Press via AP)
From left, Quebec Premier Christine Frechette, Canada's Prime Minister Mark Carney and CEO, Airbus Commercial Aircraft Lars Wagner, right, applaud AirAsia CEO Tony Fernandes, centre, during an event at the Airbus A220 Delivery Center in Mirabel, Que., Wednesday, May 6, 2026, where AirAsia placed a landmark order for 150 Airbus A220 aircraft. (Graham Hughes/The Canadian Press via AP)
Quebec Premier Christine Frechette, back left, Canada's Prime Minister Mark Carney, centre, and Guillaume Chevasson, CEO, Airbus Canada, back right, look on as Lars Wagner, CEO, Airbus Commercial Aircraft, front right, and AirAsia CEO Tony Fernandes, front left, sign a landmark order for 150 Airbus A220 aircraft during an event at the Airbus A220 Delivery Center in Mirabel, Que., Wednesday, May 6, 2026. (Graham Hughes/The Canadian Press via AP)
Canada's Prime Minister Mark Carney speaks during an event at the Airbus A220 Delivery Center in Mirabel, Que., Wednesday, May 6, 2026, where AirAsia placed a landmark order for 150 Airbus A220 aircraft. (Graham Hughes/The Canadian Press via AP)
Canada's Prime Minister Mark Carney, left, and Lars Wagner, CEO, Airbus Commercial Aircraft, right, cheer on AirAsia CEO Tony Fernandes, centre, during an event at the Airbus A220 Delivery Center in Mirabel, Que., Wednesday, May 6, 2026, where AirAsia placed a landmark order for 150 Airbus A220 aircraft. (Graham Hughes/The Canadian Press via AP)
