LEED adds credit for use of certified wood

The U.S. Green Building Council, the governing body for the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design building rating system, introduced a new pilot Alternative Compliance Path credit to promote the use of wood certified as sustainably harvested.

The credit is applicable to both LEED 2009 and LEED v4 systems.

“LEED has made tremendous strides by promoting leadership on sourcing of forestry products,” U.S. Green Building Council CEO and founding chairman Rick Fedrizzi said in a statement. “We want LEED to also be a significant driver for stopping illegal logging. As we have begun looking at approaches to incentivize responsible sourcing of all materials that go into our buildings — such as concrete, steel, copper and other materials — we recognize the need to address both the top, rewarding the best, as well as the bottom by eliminating unacceptable practices.

“With the pilot ACP, we are increasing the scope of LEED related to wood with an eye toward possibly applying what we learn to other industries. Beyond this credit, LEED v4 takes steps to reward progress related to all raw materials sourcing issues and encourage all sectors to continue to improve.”

For information, visit: www.usgbc.org/leed.