TheLEED for Homes Rating System (v4)includes theMaterials and Resources (MR) Prerequisite: Certified Tropical Wood, which ensures that wood used in LEED projects is sourced sustainably to protect tropical ecosystems.
According to theLEED Reference Guide for Homes Design and Construction (v4):
MR Prerequisite: Certified Tropical Wood
All new wood in the project must be nontropical, reused, reclaimed, or certified by the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC). Tropical wood, if used, must be FSC-certified. This prerequisite ensures that wood sourcing does not contribute to deforestation in ecologically sensitive regions.
Source: LEED Reference Guide for Homes Design and Construction, v4, Materials and Resources Prerequisite: Certified Tropical Wood, p. 156.
TheLEED v4.1 Residential BD+Crating system confirms:
MR Prerequisite: Certified Tropical Wood
All wood must be nontropical, reused, reclaimed, or FSC-certified. Tropical wood is only permitted if it is FSC-certified.
Source: LEED v4.1 Residential BD+C, Credit Library, accessed via USGBC LEED Online.
To comply, all wood must benon-tropical, reused, reclaimed, or certified(Option A), ensuring sustainable sourcing across all wood types used in the project.
Why not the other options?
[Reference: LEED Reference Guide for Homes Design and Construction, v4, MR Prerequisite: Certified Tropical Wood, p. 156., C. Only from the tropical region: This contradicts the prerequisite, as tropical wood must be FSC-certified, and non-tropical wood is preferred.Reference: LEED Reference Guide for Homes Design and Construction, v4, MR Prerequisite: Certified Tropical Wood, p. 156., D. From within 200 miles of the building site: Local sourcing is relevant forMR Credit: Environmentally Preferable Products, Option 1, not this prerequisite.Reference: LEED Reference Guide for Homes Design and Construction, v4, MR Credit: Environmentally Preferable Products, p. 160., TheLEED AP Homes Candidate Handbookemphasizes MR prerequisites, including Certified Tropical Wood, and references theLEED Reference Guide for Homes Design and Constructionas a key resource. The exam is based onLEED v4, ensuring the relevance of the compliance criteria., References:, LEED Reference Guide for Homes Design and Construction, v4, USGBC, Materials and Resources Prerequisite: Certified Tropical Wood, p. 156., LEED v4.1 Residential BD+C, USGBC LEED Credit Library, accessed via LEED Online (https://www.usgbc.org/credits)., LEED AP Homes Candidate Handbook, GBCI, October 2024, p. 12 (references study resources and exam scope based on LEED v4)., USGBC LEED for Homes Rating System (v4), available via USGBC website (https://www.usgbc.org/resources/leed-homes-design-and-construction-v4)., LEED v4.1 for Homes, USGBC, accessed via LEED Online, confirming wood sourcing requirements., ]