Hi folks,
The subject pretty much says it all: is PEFC considered an equivalent to FSC by the USGBC? We have a project with a lot of wood from Europe that is PEFC certified. I'm guessing that yes, it would be considered equivalent since FSC and PEFC are the two biggest forestry certification bodies in the world, but surprisingly, I didn't find anything in the guide or on LEEDuser indicating such (but maybe I'm missing something).
Anyone have any thoughts?
Thanks in advance!
Jake - GHT Sustainable Programs Manager
Trista Brown
Project DirectorWSP USA
456 thumbs up
April 25, 2018 - 7:08 pm
Hi Jake, it looks like PEFC is allowed under the Pilot Alternative Compliance Path, MRpc102 - Legal Wood. You can read the pilot credit language here: www.usgbc.org/node/10146342. These articles further explain the ACP as well as the history of certified wood in the LEED program: www.greenbuildingproducts.eu/pefc-certificate-applicable-as-evidence-in-... and www.greenbuildinglawupdate.com/2016/04/articles/leed/what-the-leed-pilot.... I don't believe PEFC is considered an approved alternative to FSC under the standard credit compliance pathways.
Jareb Ketay
PrincipalGHT Limited
4 thumbs up
April 26, 2018 - 10:09 am
Thanks very much Trista, very helpful! I will look into the ACP for Legal Wood a little further. Looks like we're in business though.
Thanks again!
Nadav Malin
CEOBuildingGreen, Inc.
LEEDuser Moderator
844 thumbs up
April 26, 2018 - 3:37 pm
Hi--LEEDuser's sister website, BuildingGreen.com, has also covered this topic pretty extensively. The general consensus is that PEFC is not as stringent as FSC, but under that Legal Wood pilot credit it's being treating as pretty much equivalent. https://www.buildinggreen.com/news-analysis/leed-pilots-legal-wood-expan...
Jason Grant
PrincipalJason Grant Consulting
LEEDuser Expert
164 thumbs up
April 26, 2018 - 7:17 pm
The general consensus among environmental groups is not just that PECF (including its N. American affiliate, SFI) is less stringent than FSC - it's that the so-called Legal Wood pilot credit had very little to do with illegal wood and everything to do with trying to get Big Timber off of USGBC's back after more than a decade of lobbying hardball.
https://content.sierraclub.org/ourwildamerica/defend-high-standards-wood...
Christopher Drew
Director of SustainabilityAdrian Smith + Gordon Gill Architecture
2 thumbs up
April 27, 2018 - 4:54 pm
Lets face it, if USGBC really wanted to tackle sustainable sourcing of timber they would include temporary wood too. Guaranteed that on any large scale commercial project, in particular high-rise projects, the amount of timber used in the construction process (plywood and lumber) far outweighs the amount permanently installed in the building. For this reason we specify that all formwork should be FSC certified.