Policy Brief: Materials and Resources in the LEED Rating Systems
|Published on||1 Jan 2012|
Through the LEED® green building certification program, the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) is transforming the built environment. Every LEED building demonstrates new technologies and strategies, and educates designers, building occupants and operators about the benefits of building green. Companies, governments, developers and myriad others are establishing leadership in their commitments to build beyond minimum code, taking on higher levels of responsibility in their buildings and communities. This leadership is foundational in USGBC’s pursuit of our mission of a sustainable built environment for all within this generation.
Materials and Resources is one of six green building categories addressed in the current 2009 version of the LEED rating system. One of the key strategies that LEED rewards is the use of local and regional materials from within 500 miles of the project. All materials, including wood, sourced or manufactured within 500 miles receive credit in LEED. This strategy is frequently adopted, as almost 90% of certified commercial LEED projects attain the local materials credit. Achievement of these regional materials credits supports local economies.