LEED v5 | U.S. Green Building Council (original) (raw)

LEED v5 is the next version of the globally recognized comprehensive framework for green building practices.

Embracing market demands for greater accountability, v5 will champion solutions to align the built environment with critical imperatives including decarbonization, ecosystem conservation and restoration, equity, health, and resilience. LEED v5 will drive real-world impact and positive change worldwide.

LEED v5 public comment

LEED public comment: April 3-May 24, 2024 (closed)

During the public comment feedback periods, we seek all stakeholders' input—there are no restrictions on who may view the changes and provide feedback. This input will be incorporated as we refine the drafts into what will be the newest version of LEED. Learn more about public comment.

Timeline and impact

Early 2025 is the target for opening LEED v5 for registration, as the newest balloted rating system. While milestone dates may shift over time, the goal remains the same: we are committed to releasing a LEED v5 program that is relevant and forward-thinking, that is attainable yet raises the bar. Above all, it will be impactful!

September 2023LEED for Operations and Maintenance (O+M) draft released at Greenbuild Entirety of 2024LEED O+M betaLEED for Building Design and Construction (BD+C) and Interior Design and Construction (ID+C) will proceed without a beta April 2024First public comment period opens Early 2025 Rating system opens for registration Public comment period(s) Rating system refinement Ballot and member ratification

LEED v5 has been developed around three central areas of impact:

• Decarbonization
• Quality of life
• Ecological conservation and restoration

Every credit and prerequisite in LEED v5 has a connection to decarbonization, quality of life and/or ecological conservation, and this is annotated throughout the rating system so that project teams can easily shape their sustainability stories and communicate them.

Strategic evolution of LEED

LEED v5 isn't just about today’s buildings; it's about building a better future. It's a comprehensive framework designed to drive the market towards a near zero carbon reality that is equitable, resilient, and promotes the wise, safe use of all resources. At its core, LEED v5 focuses on three key impact areas:

Decarbonization by targeting reductions in operational, embodied, refrigerants, and transportation emissions.

Quality of life by improving health, wellbeing, resilience, and equity for building occupants and their communities, making spaces not just environmentally friendly but also people friendly.

Ecological conservation and restoration by emphasizing strategies that limit environmental degradation and contribute to the restoration of ecosystems, ensuring that our built environment exists harmoniously with nature.

The LEED program is being updated to provide greater flexibility for projects and more opportunity to evolve rating system requirements in response to a rapidly changing market.

Moving to a five-year development cycle provides increased predictability for the market. This cadence will start with the 2025 release of the balloted LEED v5 rating systems.

Continuity across the building life cycle by aligning performance indicators and data needs from design and construction to operations and maintenance through performance monitoring.

New requirements for Platinum certification have been created addressing energy efficiency, carbon emissions and renewable energy use.

Strategic evolution of the user experience with a new dynamic digital interface, as well as tools and resources to provide flexibility for projects and evolve rating system requirements.

Commitment to action

Spearheading the deep decarbonization of the built environment and propelling market transformation toward achieving Paris Climate Accord targets will take an approach that is both intentional and iterative.

LEED v5 on carbon emissions

As stated in the Future of LEED, “we will employ a comprehensive suite of strategies to reduce emissions from operations, materials, construction, refrigerants and transportation, while promoting carbon sequestration and net positive outcomes. Accountability for performance is imperative. Those goals are reflected in the draft of LEED v5 for existing buildings and the concepts shared for design and construction.

• LEED v5 provides simple, clear steps for delivering ultra-low-carbon buildings.
• LEED v5 addresses significant sources of carbon emissions in buildings:
  • Operational emissions from energy used to operate buildings,
  • Embodied carbon emissions from the construction of buildings, and
  • Carbon emissions related to transportation to and from the building.
  • Design teams can use the rating system to meet organizational net zero goals and building performance standards for no or lowered GHG emissions.
• LEED v5 increases the carbon literacy of the industry.
  • All buildings in LEED v5 will be provided with an operational greenhouse gas emissions projection of their business-as-usual operational emissions through 2050. This will help teams understand the future carbon impacts of their decisions.
  • Buildings will have to report on their refrigerants and leaks.
  • Design teams can focus on meeting organizational goals and building performance standards for no or lowered GHG emissions as well as embodied carbon to meet the carbon caps for materials.
• LEED v5 rewards existing buildings for getting on the road to ultra-low carbon.
  • Reducing the carbon emissions of current buildings to near zero is a long-term, complex process, and learning how to succeed is an emerging discipline. LEED v5 will reward buildings for creating long-term decarbonization pathways and 5-year capital plans.
• LEED v5 continues rewarding efficient, low-carbon buildings.
• LEED v5 rewards new buildings for getting it right the first time.

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