Does anyone know if USGBC will accept the B-Corp Certification for Option 1?
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NC-v4 MRc3: Building product disclosure and optimization - sourcing of raw materials
Does anyone know if USGBC will accept the B-Corp Certification for Option 1?
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Karin Miller
Senior Sustainability ManagerYR&G
33 thumbs up
June 2, 2015 - 4:02 pm
My interpretation of the credit language is that B-Corp would likely fall under "Option 1. Other USGBC approved programs meeting the CSR criteria". A “USGBC-approved program” is a criterion designed to recognize any leadership certification programs that may be developed in the future. In LEED v4 BD+C Social Equity Pilot Credit "Social Equity within the Project Team”, USGBC has indicated that project team companies may demonstrate social responsibility on a company level by achieving certification, or developing a social responsibility report utilizing the following frameworks to demonstrate compliance:
JUST
B-Corporation
GRI G4 Sustainability Reporting Guidelines - Construction and Real Estate Sector Guidance
GRESB: Global Real Estate Sustainability Benchmark
AA 1000 Accountability Principles Standards
OECD Guidelines for multinational enterprises
UN Global Compact –Communication on Progress (COP) report
SA 8000 Standard (2014 version) – Social Accountability International
AASHE STARS: Sustainability Tracking, Assessment & Rating System (higher education)
USGBC- approved equivalent
You’ll note that there are overlaps with those listed under MRc3: Building product disclosure and optimization – sourcing of raw materials:
Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) Sustainability Report
Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) Guidelines for Multinational Enterprises
U.N. Global Compact: Communication of Progress
ISO 26000: 2010 Guidance on Social Responsibility
B-Corp is likely an approved equivalent in terms of Corporate Social Responsibility, but note that for this credit, there are additional requirements for Option 1; the project team must specify products from manufacturers that can provide reports of raw materials from their suppliers. The reports may be available in the form of a corporate sustainability report (CSR), third-party verified reports (also called externally assured reports, counted at full value for credit compliance), or self-declared reports (counted at half value).
To meet the credit requirements, reports must include information on the following:
- Raw material supplier extraction locations
- Commitment to long-term ecologically responsible land use
- Commitment to reducing environmental harms from extraction and manufacturing processes
- Commitment to meeting voluntary standards or programs that address responsible sourcing
Additional work may be required to produce a report with sufficient information to meet the credit requirements.