LEED Wood FSC Certified

Novembre 17, 2009 | Eco Friendly, Eco News, Environment, Go Green

What is LEED? LEED stands for Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design. This green building rating system was created by the USGBC (United States Green Building Council). The purpose for this is to provide a set of standards for environmentally sustainable construction. There is only one organization that can certify lumber as a LEED approved wood and that is FSC™ (Forest Stewardship Council).

Who is FSC™? Well this is a non profit and independent organization created to promote responsible forest management worldwide. The organization has independent certification companies they work with to get companies accredited. Becoming certified demonstrates your willingness to comply with the highest standards on the market. Certification requires annual audit surveillance and compliance and is valid for five years. It will show your creditability and responsibility for forest conservation to consumers, business associates, banks and other organizations. This requires commitment from the company requesting an audit by requiring stringent trail of procedures, policies and paperwork as well as a financial investment.

FSC is comprised of 3 chambers. The reason for this is in maintaining a balance of voting power among the different interests within the FSC. There is a 33.3% voting power per chamber and a affirmative vote of 66.6% has to be given for a vote to be adopted. The chambers are as follows:

Economic Chamber: This includes individuals and organizations with interest in commercial forest products entities. This may entail large manufacturers and retailers as well as small businesses.

Social Chamber: This chamber may include social movements and indigenous organizations such as unions who have an interest in the future of this type of organization. Examples may be specific to unions representing wood laborers.
Environmental Chamber: This chamber is for non-profit organizations and non government organizations that have a demonstrated commitment to forest stewardship. Examples may be Greenpeace and National Wildlife Federation.

A recent controversy or topic of discussion is the emergence of other certification companies that are pushing to be accepted by the USGBC for LEED projects. Will this lower the standards set for responsible forestry? Will this increase our green movement? Will this contribute to bigger areas of sustainable forestry or will it hinder it? These are real concerns and I don’t know if there are any valid answers? FSC certified lumber can be difficult to source and it definitely drives higher prices. Is there a compromise? Maybe if a LEED point is given for specific criteria met for lumber given by approved certification companies and additional point given for specific companies that uphold the most stringent regulations. This can insure responsible forestry and also reward companies that actually push the envelope on sustainable practices that contribute to preserving our future.

Chloe Madeiras is a contributing writer for Advantage Trim & Lumber Co. Ipe Decking

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Chloe_Madeiras
http://EzineArticles.com/?LEED-Wood-FSC-Certified&id=3057537

energy-star