August 27, 2007—The US Green Building Council (USGBC) has decided that projects seeking certification under the LEED Green Building Rating System can now earn an “Innovation in Design” point by using building products and materials that have been certified as “carbon neutral” by a reputable, independent third-party certifier.
Innovation in Design points are awarded to LEED projects that develop new solutions, employ new technologies, educate, or realize exemplary performance in another area. USGBC is cataloging all Innovation in Design points that have been awarded to LEED certified projects and will publish them online.
Products and materials are climate neutral when there are zero net greenhouse gases (GHG), such as C02, from the entire life cycle of the product. The manufacturer calculates the total GHG impact utilizing life cycle analysis and then obtains carbon emission reduction credits (ERCs), such as through green power off-set purchases or carbon sequestration projects. The offsets must equal or exceed the GHG produced during extraction, processing, manufacture, transport and end use of a product, and be certified by a recognized third party using sound scientific and accounting principles.
