CALL FOR COMMENTS

YPFPG is soliciting comments on a set of draft policy documents prepared for the US Green Building Council (USGBC). These documents assess USGBC's policy options regarding the recognition of forest certification as an indicator of environmentally and socially preferable wood products as part of green building certification.

The documents posted include:

1) A 30-page report including an executive summary, a history and background on forest certification, and the presentation of policy and decision tools designed to help USGBC make policy choices. Download Now

2) An addendum on the integration of forest certification and renewable resource credits. Download Now

3) A comparative matrix of existing forest certification schemes and relevant international normative institutions on certification and standardization. Download Now

4) A set of draft performance benchmarks which can be modified to address USGBC goals and priorities. Download Now

5) A checklist that can be used to summarize the relative performance levels of existing forest certification systems. Download Now

6) Report on the Life Cycle Analysis (LCA) of wood and other bio-based materials. Download Now

Comments are welcome from all parties. Particularly encouraged, are comments that precisely outline the documents' strengths and weaknesses as well as specific suggestions for improvement. For example, if it is thought that the comparative matrix is missing key criteria for comparison, please list what those criteria should be. The more precise the suggestions the greater the likelihood they will be well understood and addressed in future policy iterations.

Please direct your questions to constance.mcdermott@yale.edu and/or benjamin.cashore@yale.edu All comments received by December 15, 2007 will be given full consideration in document revisions. Comments received after December 15, 2007 will be addressed as time allows.

Thank you in advance for your interest and feedback.