Updated April 19 to retract information from the Forest Stewardship Council and clarify the United States Green Building Council’s position on the ACP pilot credit.
The FSC, in a newsletter released April 14, discussed the details of a conversation between it and the USGBC about the future of the recently announced Alternative Compliance Pathway pilot credit. Hardwood Floors reported the story on April 18. However, the statements FSC attributed to the USGBC in the newsletter were never made, according to an email the USGBC sent HF April 19.
“USGBC has not made this comment to FSC or others,” said Leticia McCadden, USGBC media relations manager, referring to the section of FSC’s newsletter that reported the credit would not be used after the trial period ends.
The USGBC asked the FSC to issue a correction to its newsletter after it was published, and it is currently working to update the newsletter with the FSC, which was confirmed in an email by FSC Communications Director Brad Kahn.
When the USGBC announced the pilot credit April 5, a number of forest products groups and forest certification schemes released statements, the majority of which included language supporting what they perceived as a change in the USGBC’s FSC-only policy.
“[O]pening LEED to ATFS and SFI means more American-grown wood products can be used in construction and building projects seeking LEED certification,” according to a statement from the Hardwood Federation, a forest industry lobbying group. “Hardwood Federation has been a long-time proponent of USGBC recognizing all responsible certification programs, opening the door for more suppliers and landowners to provide their products and materials to LEED projects.”
FSC will host a webinar April 21 about the pilot credit. The webinar will provide an opportunity to hear updates and ask questions with FSC staff. Registration is available online.
