What is the purpose of Innovation credits (IN)?

• A. To count the exact number of credits achieved.
• B. To penalize projects failing to meet baseline credits.
• C. To recognize innovative strategies and performance beyond standard credits or exemplary performance.
• D. To restrict use of new technologies.

Answer: (C)

Innovation credits are about rewarding new, high-impact approaches that aren’t already covered by the existing credits. They give a formal way to recognize strategies, technologies, or performance outcomes that go beyond what standard credits require or even beyond exemplary performance. In practice, a project can pursue an Innovation credit by documenting a novel idea—such as a unique design tactic, a groundbreaking materials choice, or a performance target not mapped to current credits—and providing evidence that it delivers sustainability benefits. This often involves a clear description of the approach, how it meets or exceeds typical outcomes, and verification of results through data, modeling, or third‑party review. The goal is to encourage experimentation and continuous improvement within the framework, not to penalize or restrict standard methods.