US Green Building Council Exam LEED AP ND Topic 1 Question 4 Discussion

In LEED for Neighborhood Development, formulating overarching goals is essential for guiding the project team toward achieving successful certification. According to the LEED for Neighborhood Development Reference Guide, goal setting for a project is based on three foundational aspects: the project's environmental setting, the community context, and the mission of the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC).

Option B: USGBC's mission is the correct answer because the mission of the USGBC---to promote sustainability in the built environment through cost-effective and energy-efficient building and neighborhood practices---serves as a guiding framework for all LEED projects. This mission helps ensure that the goals align with broader sustainability objectives, such as reducing environmental impact and enhancing the well-being of communities (Reference: LEED v4 ND Reference Guide).

Option A: The project's timeline is not considered one of the three foundational elements for goal setting in LEED ND. While timelines are crucial for project management, they are not part of the foundational framework for establishing sustainability goals.

Option C: Federal policy may influence project decisions, but it is not one of the core foundations for LEED goal setting.

Option D: The developer's mission can play a role in a project's direction, but it is not one of the three primary foundations outlined by LEED ND for goal setting.

Thus, the third foundational element for goal setting in LEED ND, along with environmental setting and community context, is USGBC's mission, making Option B the correct answer.