The U.S. Green Building Council has opened the first public comment period for its draft rating system, LEED v5. This step marks a milestone for LEED and the building industry at large, providing a comprehensive framework for creating sustainable, efficient, and resilient built environments that promote environmental responsibility, economic viability and social equity.
LEED v5 emphasizes impact, alignment and interconnectedness to support initial and ongoing sustainability efforts throughout a building’s lifecycle. Impact highlights include:
- LEED v5 Operations + Maintenance puts existing buildings on a path to decarbonization and ties Platinum-level certification to near-zero carbon operating emissions.
- LEED v5 Building Design + Construction provides a framework for new buildings to reach near-zero carbon emissions operationally by 2050, on a decarbonized grid, and, at the Platinum level, for buildings to achieve near-zero carbon operationally and embodied carbon reductions today.
- For the first time, project teams will be equipped with key information to guide goal setting and project delivery, including assessment methodologies for climate resilience, carbon emissions through 2050 and social equity. This information will help project teams set higher aspirations, pursue greater innovation and achieve better outcomes.
- LEED v5 users will receive a LEED Impact Report that will help them measure, manage and communicate their project’s performance and allow them to make improvements over time.
LEED v5 for Building Design and Construction, Interior Design and Construction, and Operations and Maintenance rating systems are all open for public comment through May 20. The drafts and comment forms are available on the USGBC website.
Final versions of LEED v5 incorporating feedback received during the public comment period are scheduled to be released in early 2025.
