How does LEED address embodied carbon in building materials?

LEED addresses embodied carbon in building materials primarily by promoting the use of materials with lower embodied carbon footprints. This approach aligns with the goal of reducing overall carbon emissions associated with the construction and lifecycle of buildings. Specifically, LEED encourages project teams to consider the environmental impact of the materials they choose, focusing on those that require less energy to produce and transport, have a lower impact on natural resources, and generate less waste.

Materials with lower embodied carbon footprints contribute to the overall sustainability of a building by decreasing its carbon emissions, which is crucial in efforts to combat climate change. This alignment with sustainability practices highlights the importance of material selection in the construction industry, ensuring that decisions made during the design and building phases contribute positively to both environmental health and resource conservation.

The other options do not align with LEED's emphasis on reducing embodied carbon through sustainable material choices, as they either suggest a lack of guidance regarding carbon impact, promote limited resource criteria that do not specifically consider sustainability impacts, or discourage the use of beneficial recycled materials that can help lower embodied carbon.