Responsible Buildings

But there is more to responsible forest products than just what happens in the forest. If no one wants responsible forest products, forest managers can't always do their best work. This is why CWP supports just as vigorously the movement toward "green," or more responsible, buildings. In "green" buildings, the world's best forest management is recognized and rewarded.

Along with many independent pioneers and practitioners of "green" building techniques, the U.S. Green Building Council and its LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) Green Building Rating System™ has taken the lead in defining what a responsible building is. LEED is a voluntary, consensus-based national standard for developing high-performance, sustainable buildings. LEED provides a complete framework for assessing building performance and meeting sustainability goals. Based on well-founded scientific standards, LEED emphasizes state-of-the-art strategies for sustainable site development, water savings, energy efficiency, materials selection, and indoor environmental quality.

The LEED system certifies buildings as "green" on the basis of an 81-point scoring system. If a building project scores at least 26 LEED points, it receives certification. If it scores more than 26 points, it can receive a silver, gold, or platinum rating, depending on the number of points that it receives. In new building projects, LEED's approval is an increasingly coveted distinction for owners and designers alike.

CWP believes that responsible forest products should be an important component of a "green" building, and the LEED system firmly supports what we value. Owners may earn as many as three LEED points through their use: two points are available when harvesting and manufacturing forest products within a specified radius of the building project, and one point is available when a percentage of the project's forest products come from FSC-certified sources.