USGBC said its new evaluation of wood certification programs in LEED v5 enables wood sourced under FSC, SFI and PEFC chain-of-custody standards to count toward LEED points, expanding the range of eligible certified products that can be used to meet rating system requirements. | Credit: USGBC
What You Need to Know
- USGBC issued a LEED v5 determination recognizing wood sourced under FSC, SFI and PEFC chain-of-custody certification systems.
- The update allows products certified under multiple standards to count toward LEED points, expanding compliance pathways for project teams.
- USGBC said the determination is intended to increase demand for certified wood products globally and support sustainable forestry outcomes.
- Wood can contribute up to 22 points in LEED v5 BD+C and up to 30 points in LEED v5 ID+C, according to USGBC.
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The U.S. Green Building Council has updated LEED v5 to recognize wood sourced under three major chain-of-custody certification standards, a move the organization said is designed to expand the use of sustainably sourced wood in construction and interior projects.
USGBC said the determination aligns LEED v5 with certification systems associated with the Forest Stewardship Council-US, the Sustainable Forestry Initiative and the Programme for the Endorsement of Forest Certification.
USGBC said its new evaluation of wood certification programs in LEED v5 enables wood sourced under FSC, SFI and PEFC chain-of-custody standards to count toward LEED points, expanding the range of eligible certified products that can be used to meet rating system requirements.
“For decades, LEED has helped drive global demand for responsibly sourced wood in construction projects worldwide,” said Peter Templeton, president and CEO of USGBC and GBCI, in an article from the U.S. Green Building Council.
USGBC said the recognized programs differ in approach and requirements, but determined that each chain-of-custody standard provides protections against deforestation and supports sustainable forestry. The organization also framed the change as a market signal intended to “spur demand for more certified wood products worldwide,” as it works to increase uptake of certified materials in the built environment.
The release noted that only about 10% of the world’s forests are currently certified, which USGBC said underscores the need to build demand for certified wood and related products.
“The Sustainable Forestry Initiative is pleased to see the recognition of SFI and PEFC endorsed standards in LEED v5,” said Kathy Abusow, president and CEO of SFI, in an article from the U.S. Green Building Council. Abusow also pointed to continued engagement with USGBC on SFI’s Climate Smart Forestry Initiative and the Fiber Sourcing Standard.
USGBC said wood remains a significant component in LEED v5 for structural materials and finished products. Wood products can contribute up to 22 points in LEED v5 Building Design and Construction projects and up to 30 points in LEED v5 Interior Design and Construction projects, the organization said.
USGBC identified two primary credits where certified wood programs are rewarded in LEED v5 BD+C and ID+C: MRc4 Building Product Selection & Procurement and MRpc181 Multi-Attribute Structure, Enclosure, Hardscape, and Other Building Materials. The organization encouraged teams to pursue those credits alongside embodied-carbon strategies while ensuring wood products are both low embodied carbon and responsibly sourced.
“We are excited to see what comes next.” said Sarah Billig, president at FSC-US, in an article from the U.S. Green Building Council.