Fabrizio Capaccioli Interview
Fabrizio Capaccioli, Founder and CEO of ASACERT and President of Green Building Council Italia, has built his career on integrity, sustainability, and a deep belief in continuous learning. With over 25 years of experience in certification, inspection, and risk management, he continues to champion a responsible business model that balances profit with purpose. His leadership at GBC Italia reflects his mission to make sustainability a shared responsibility for businesses, communities, and the planet alike.
Lifelong Learning as a Philosophy
We started the interview by asking, “In a world of self-proclaimed experts, you proudly call yourself an apprentice. What does lifelong learning mean to you?”
Fabrizio Capaccioli replied, “For me, lifelong learning is the foundation of both personal and professional evolution. It means staying curious, humble, and ready to change perspective when needed. When I say I’m “proudly an apprentice,” I mean that every day is an opportunity to grow and to question certainties. The more we learn, the more we understand how vast the horizon of knowledge truly is. My background in sociology taught me to observe reality with empathy and critical thinking, while sustainability has shown me that progress is never solitary — it is collective. True learning happens when we listen, share, and challenge ourselves. Remaining an apprentice keeps me grounded and helps me lead with awareness, adaptability, and authenticity in an ever-changing world.”
The Philosophy behind ASACERT’s Success
The UK Times: ASACERT has become a benchmark in certification and sustainability. What core philosophy drives your company’s success?
Fabrizio Capaccioli replied, “ASACERT’s success is rooted in three simple yet powerful principles: integrity, competence, and responsibility. From the very beginning, we built our reputation on trust because in our field, credibility is everything. We have never chosen the easy path over the right one. Becoming a Benefit Company and pursuing B-Corp certification were not strategic moves; they were ethical choices. We want to demonstrate that a company can generate profit while creating positive environmental and social value. For us, sustainability is not a passing trend but a long-term commitment to future generations. We measure our success not only in economic terms, but by the positive legacy we leave behind.”
Becoming a Benefit Company
The UK Times: ASACERT’s transformation into a Benefit Company marks a major milestone. What inspired this step?
Fabrizio Capaccioli replied, “Transforming ASACERT into a Benefit Company was a natural evolution of our purpose. We wanted sustainability to become a structural part of our business model, not just a declaration of intent. Today, companies must go beyond profit and take responsibility for their environmental and social impact. This transformation redefines how we make decisions, how we engage with stakeholders, and how we assess our results. It reflects a broader idea of corporate citizenship one that views business as a driver of positive change. By aligning economic success with ethical commitment, we ensure that every action contributes to the well-being of people, communities, and the planet. It’s about building value that endures.”
Leading the Green Transition in Construction
The UK Times: As President of Green Building Council Italia, how do you see sustainability reshaping the construction industry?
Fabrizio Capaccioli replied, “The construction sector lies at the center of both the sustainability challenge and the opportunity it brings. Buildings account for a significant share of energy use and emissions, but they can also become catalysts for change. Through GBC Italia, we promote certifications and practices that transform how we design, build, and live. My program, “La Responsabilità del Cambiamento per il Benessere delle Persone,” aims to make sustainability not only a technical goal but a human and social responsibility. The future of construction is not just about materials or technology; it’s about well-being, community, and resilience. We must build spaces that don’t just shelter life — they enhance it.”
Balancing Leadership and Responsibility
The UK Times: How do you balance being a business leader and an advocate for environmental responsibility?
Fabrizio Capaccioli replied, “For me, leadership and responsibility are inseparable. A true leader creates value while safeguarding the resources that make that value possible. At ASACERT and GBC Italia, I’ve seen that sustainability and profitability are not opposing forces — they can coexist when guided by purpose. It’s about aligning business goals with ethical principles and making choices that generate growth and positive impact together. Leading responsibly means thinking beyond short-term results and focusing on the legacy we will leave. I strive to lead with transparency, accountability, and empathy — because leadership today means guiding people toward a vision that benefits both the organization and society as a whole. The future of construction must be about more than materials; it must prioritize health, community, and long-term resilience. By integrating environmental innovation with human well-being, we can create buildings that are not only efficient but truly enriching spaces for life.”
Passion as a Driving Force
The UK Times: “Do the work you love, and you’ll never work a day in your life.” How does this belief shape your leadership?
Fabrizio Capaccioli replied, “That saying perfectly captures my approach to leadership. I’ve always believed that passion turns effort into purpose. When you love what you do, even the hardest challenges become opportunities for growth. At ASACERT, I encourage my team to see the deeper meaning in their work — to recognize that every certification, every audit, is part of a broader mission of integrity and sustainability. Passion is the invisible force that connects personal motivation with collective purpose. When an organization is guided by passion and values, work stops being a duty and becomes a genuine contribution to something greater.”
Vision for Italy’s Sustainable Future
Lastly we asked, “Looking ahead, what is your vision for Italy’s role in the global sustainability movement?”
“In recent years, thanks to a deep process of internal consolidation and greater international openness, GBC Italia has strengthened its global presence, becoming a reference point for many organizations increasingly looking to our country. In 2024, Italy ranked eighth in the USGBC list of the top ten countries worldwide with the highest number of LEED-certified buildings, the only European nation on the list — with 174 certified projects covering more than 2.1 million square meters. This achievement is a source of great pride, as it demonstrates that Italy is establishing itself as a leader in the international landscape with a concrete commitment to decarbonization. Yet this success is not only measured in certified square meters, but in what they represent: healthier, more efficient, and lower-impact buildings that enhance people’s quality of life and add value to both public and private assets.
Italy’s extraordinary cultural and creative heritage can and must guide us toward a sustainable future. Our ability to combine design, innovation, and craftsmanship positions us to redefine what responsible growth looks like on a global scale. My vision is for Italy to become a model of balance — where environmental protection, economic vitality, and social inclusion coexist. Through collaboration between institutions, businesses, and citizens, sustainability can become part of our national identity, not just a policy. If we invest in education, innovation, and civic awareness, we can lead by example. Sustainability is not a limit; it’s an evolution — and Italy can inspire the world by showing that prosperity and respect for the planet can advance together.” Fabrizio Capaccioli concluded
Connect with Fabrizio Capaccioli on LinkedIn
For more information visit ASACERT
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