Which aspect of construction does LEED's Materials and Resources category NOT focus on?

The Materials and Resources category of LEED primarily focuses on sustainable practices related to the use of materials throughout a project's lifecycle. This includes aspects such as material sourcing, waste management, and the lifecycle impacts of materials used in construction.

Material sourcing addresses how materials are obtained, ensuring they are sourced responsibly and sustainably to minimize environmental impact. Waste management emphasizes reducing, reusing, and recycling materials to minimize waste generated during construction and throughout the building's lifecycle. Lifecycle impacts consider the total environmental footprint of materials from extraction through disposal, encouraging choices that lower negative impacts over time.

Field labor practices, while significant in construction and linked to overall project sustainability and social responsibility, do not fall under the specific focus of the Materials and Resources category. This category is more concerned with the physical resources themselves rather than the practices of labor involved in their installation or use. This distinction clarifies that while employee wellbeing and labor practices are important, they are addressed in other aspects of LEED certification.