| What is LEED? LEED stands for Leadership in Energy | | | | organizations with interest in commercial forest |
| and Environmental Design. This green building rating | | | | products entities. This may entail large manufacturers |
| system was created by the USGBC (United States | | | | and retailers as well as small businesses. |
| Green Building Council). The purpose for this is to | | | | Social Chamber: This chamber may include social |
| provide a set of standards for environmentally | | | | movements and indigenous organizations such as |
| sustainable construction. There is only one | | | | unions who have an interest in the future of this |
| organization that can certify lumber as a LEED | | | | type of organization. Examples may be specific to |
| approved wood and that is FSC(TM) (Forest | | | | unions representing wood laborers. |
| Stewardship Council). | | | | Environmental Chamber: This chamber is for |
| Who is FSC(TM)? Well this is a non profit and | | | | non-profit organizations and non government |
| independent organization created to promote | | | | organizations that have a demonstrated commitment |
| responsible forest management worldwide. The | | | | to forest stewardship. Examples may be Greenpeace |
| organization has independent certification companies | | | | and National Wildlife Federation. |
| they work with to get companies accredited. | | | | A recent controversy or topic of discussion is the |
| Becoming certified demonstrates your willingness to | | | | emergence of other certification companies that are |
| comply with the highest standards on the market. | | | | pushing to be accepted by the USGBC for LEED |
| Certification requires annual audit surveillance and | | | | projects. Will this lower the standards set for |
| compliance and is valid for five years. It will show | | | | responsible forestry? Will this increase our green |
| your creditability and responsibility for forest | | | | movement? Will this contribute to bigger areas of |
| conservation to consumers, business associates, | | | | sustainable forestry or will it hinder it? These are real |
| banks and other organizations. This requires | | | | concerns and I don't know if there are any valid |
| commitment from the company requesting an audit | | | | answers? FSC certified lumber can be difficult to |
| by requiring stringent trail of procedures, policies and | | | | source and it definitely drives higher prices. Is there a |
| paperwork as well as a financial investment. | | | | compromise? Maybe if a LEED point is given for |
| FSC is comprised of 3 chambers. The reason for this | | | | specific criteria met for lumber given by approved |
| is in maintaining a balance of voting power among the | | | | certification companies and additional point given for |
| different interests within the FSC. There is a 33.3% | | | | specific companies that uphold the most stringent |
| voting power per chamber and a affirmative vote of | | | | regulations. This can insure responsible forestry and |
| 66.6% has to be given for a vote to be adopted. | | | | also reward companies that actually push the |
| The chambers are as follows: | | | | envelope on sustainable practices that contribute to |
| Economic Chamber: This includes individuals and | | | | preserving our future. |