The U.S. Green Building Council opened certification to the LEED v5 rating system and announced new tools and resources for users of the green building certification program. LEED v5 offers clear steps for buildings to achieve near-zero carbon status while prioritizing physical resilience and the health and well-being of people and communities.
Scorecards focused on LEED v5’s core impact areas – decarbonization, quality of life and ecological conservation and restoration – are available to help guide project teams in planning goals and intent. A wide range of tools, including calculators, a scorecard builder, recertification guidance and a decarbonization workbook, support the success of project teams in achieving certification.
The newest editions of the LEED v5 Reference Guide build on the April launch previews, adding greater detail, examples and context to support project teams. Informed by user feedback and community input, the guides will be paired with additional educational resources through 2026 to help practitioners master the new rating system.
Additionally, USGBC has released updated LEED v5 crosswalks to help streamline the process for projects pursuing multiple certifications. These include the LEED v5 and WELL crosswalk, developed in collaboration with the International WELL Building Institute.
Through beta testing of the LEED v5 Operations and Maintenance system, more than 20 early adopters have achieved certification, proving transformative change through strategic decarbonization, significant cost savings and high occupant satisfaction. As part of the rating system’s Decarbonization and Capital Planning requirements, projects target significant reductions in onsite energy use, direct emissions and water usage.
