USGBC’s recent quarterly addenda to the LEED green building rating system includes a new pilot Alternative Compliance Path (ACP) credit that is designed to eliminate irresponsibly sourced materials.
One aim is to advance environmentally responsible forest management to help rid buildings of illegal wood by promoting wood that is verified to be legal. The pilot ACP builds on the robust infrastructure that has been built around responsible wood sourcing and chain of custody to test an approach to prerequisite requirements.
This approach to wood could serve as a model for other building materials, USGBC says. This pilot ACP is applicable to both LEED 2009 and LEED v4 systems. LEED has always rewarded leadership in materials specification, but this new approach focuses attentionon the significant need for more comprehensive and effective legality verification of building products, according to USGBC.
“We want LEED to be a significant driver for stopping illegal logging,” says Rick Fedrizzi, CEO andfounding chair, USGBC. “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.”
Related Stories
Wood | Oct 13, 2016
Concept from Perkins+Will could become the world’s tallest timber tower
River Beech Tower is said to be a part of a masterplan along the Chicago River.
Wood | Sep 21, 2016
‘The Smile’ showcases the structural potential of CLT
Weight for weight, CLT is stronger than concrete and can be machined to incredibly high tolerances.
Wood | Sep 6, 2016
Atlanta suburb prohibits wood-framed construction for high rises
The new building code prevents any structure with more than three stories from being built from a CLT frame.
Great Solutions | Aug 23, 2016
Reclaimed wood paneling adds color to retail and hospitality projects
Colorburst panels are available in four stock options—Robin Egg Blue, Viridian Green, Haute Pink, and Cascade White—as well as custom colors.
Regulations | Aug 8, 2016
EPA toughens rules to reduce formaldehyde exposure from composite wood products
Products will now have to be labeled as compliant to the new rules.
Concrete | Aug 2, 2016
Concrete Association builds case against cross-laminated timber
The campaign asserts that not enough is known about CLT in construction
High-rise Construction | Jul 14, 2016
Shigeru Ban designs tower expected to be world’s tallest hybrid timber structure
To lessen the carbon footprint, Terrace House in Vancouver will be made of wood sourced from British Columbia.
![The history of building with wood [infographic]](/sites/default/files/styles/list_big/public/Richmond_Olympic_Oval_intern_View.jpg?itok=CT3sQmdz "The history of building with wood [infographic]")
Wood | Jul 14, 2016
The history of building with wood [infographic]
The first timber home was built 10,000 years ago. Now 40-story wood skyscrapers are being constructed.
Sponsored | Wood | Jun 21, 2016
Flameless water and gas install for Noah’s Ark
When you’re building the largest timber-frame structure in the world, you don’t want an open flame anywhere near the construction site.
Urban Planning | Jun 15, 2016
Swedish ‘Timber Town’ proposal from C.F. Møller provides a unique blend of nature and city
The development acts as a transition area between a traditional urban landscape and parklands.
