Demand that USGBC Open the LEED Rating System

As part of its revision of the LEED rating tools, the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) is reviewing its forest certification credit. Currently, the only structural wood products and paper products eligible for the certified wood credit are those certified to the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) standard.

FSC-certified forests account for about one quarter of North America's certified forests; the rest are certified to other credible standards such as SFI, American Tree Farm System (ATFS) and Canadian Standards Association (CSA). This means wood and paper from nearly three-quarters of North America's certified forests is not eligible for the LEED structural wood certification credit, and building professionals seeking LEED certification may have to purchase wood or paper products from overseas.

Open up LEED
Forestry experts, government officials, conservationists and many others have urged USGBC to promote responsible forestry in North America by opening up LEED to SFI and the other credible standards.

A number of green building programs available in North America promote the environmental benefits of wood with an inclusive approach to forest certification, including ANSI/ICC 700-2008: National Green Building Standard, ANSI-GBI 01-2010 Green Building Assessment Protocol for Commercial Buildings; Built Green Canada and Green Globes.

Recognize Value of Wood
SFI Inc. has called on USGBC to work with all stakeholders to recognize the value of wood and all credible forest certification standards as a proof of responsible forestry. It says the building community should forgo the one point in the certified wood credit and use SFI-certified products in LEED buildings to demonstrate pride and support for North American forests, communities and jobs.

LEED Pilot Accepts SFI Certification
USGBC has taken a step in the right direction with the release of Pilot Credit 43 for the use of non-structural certified wood products, such as furniture, flooring and windows, which lists SFI, ATFS, CSA and PEFC along with FSC in a section on "pre-approved certifications and labels." Builders and architects can achieve one point under the Innovation in Design section of LEED for using this pilot credit and providing feedback on the applicability of the credit.

Pilot credits are used to test an idea before it becomes an official LEED credit so builders, architects and others who appreciate the value of recognizing multiple forest certification standards are encouraged to post comments about Pilot Credit 43 on the LEED user site. For more information, contact Jason Metnick.

LEED 2012 Rating System Third Public Comment Period
Respected organizations are calling on the U.S. Green Building Council to recognize all credible certification programs used in North America for its LEED rating system – including the Sustainable Forestry Initiative, American Tree Farm System, Canadian Standards Association and Programme for the Endorsement of Forest Certification. The LEED Rating System Third Public Comment Period is open until March 20, 2012. At the end of the review period, USGBC members will vote on the final draft. If you would like a copy of SFI's comments, please e-mail Jason Metnick.

Top Ten Reasons Why USGBC Should Recognize all Credible Forest Certification Standards
USGBC's LEED extraction credit continues to ramp up the competing materials debate: non-renewable steel and concrete get a credit without achieving third-party certification, while products third-party certified to SFI do not get access to this same credit. As USGBC deliberates on the language that will go out for a final ballot in early June 2012, here is why you should encourage USGBC to make a decision that supports the future of our forests. Click here to view the Top 10 reasons.

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