TheLEED for Homes Rating System (v4)includes theMaterials and Resources (MR) Prerequisite: Certified Tropical Wood, which regulates the use of tropical wood to prevent unsustainable harvesting from ecologically sensitive regions.
According to theLEED Reference Guide for Homes Design and Construction (v4):
MR Prerequisite: Certified Tropical Wood
All new wood in the project must be nontropical, reused, reclaimed, or certified by the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC). If tropical wood is used, it must be FSC-certified to ensure it is sourced from sustainably managed forests.
Source: LEED Reference Guide for Homes Design and Construction, v4, Materials and Resources Prerequisite: Certified Tropical Wood, p. 156.
TheLEED v4.1 Residential BD+Crating system confirms:
MR Prerequisite: Certified Tropical Wood
Tropical wood, if used, must be FSC-certified to comply with the prerequisite. This ensures responsible forestry practices in tropical regions.
Source: LEED v4.1 Residential BD+C, Credit Library, accessed via USGBC LEED Online.
The most effective strategy is touse tropical wood that is FSC-certified(Option A), as this complies with the prerequisite and allows tropical wood in the project while ensuring sustainable sourcing.
Why not the other options?
[Reference: LEED Reference Guide for Homes Design and Construction, v4, MR Prerequisite: Certified Tropical Wood, p. 156., C. Use any regional tropical wood that is not FSC-certified: Non-FSC-certified tropical wood does not comply with the prerequisite, as it risks unsustainable sourcing.Reference: LEED Reference Guide for Homes Design and Construction, v4, MR Prerequisite: Certified Tropical Wood, p. 156., D. Conduct a life-cycle assessment (LCA) to demonstrate that the materials used in the project comply with the intent of the prerequisite: An LCA is not an acceptable compliance path for this prerequisite, which explicitly requires FSC certification for tropical wood.Reference: LEED Reference Guide for Homes Design and Construction, v4, MR Prerequisite: Certified Tropical Wood, p. 156., TheLEED AP Homes Candidate Handbookemphasizes MR prerequisites, including Certified Tropical Wood, and references theLEED Reference Guide for Homes Design and Constructionas a key resource. The exam is based onLEED v4, ensuring the relevance of FSC certification., References:, LEED Reference Guide for Homes Design and Construction, v4, USGBC, Materials and Resources Prerequisite: Certified Tropical Wood, p. 156., LEED v4.1 Residential BD+C, USGBC LEED Credit Library, accessed via LEED Online (https://www.usgbc.org/credits)., LEED AP Homes Candidate Handbook, GBCI, October 2024, p. 12 (references study resources and exam scope based on LEED v4)., USGBC LEED for Homes Rating System (v4), available via USGBC website (https://www.usgbc.org/resources/leed-homes-design-and-construction-v4)., LEED v4.1 for Homes, USGBC, accessed via LEED Online, confirming FSC certification requirement., ]
