The U.S. Green Building Council has officially launched LEED v5. Building on the rating system’s 25-year legacy, LEED v5 is the most comprehensive update to the certification system in over a decade. Registration is now open for the new rating systems in:
- Building Design and Construction (BD+C)
- Interior Design and Construction (ID+C)
- Operations and Maintenance (O+M)
For building owners intending to pursue LEED v4 or v4.1 certification, USGBC will close registration for those systems on June 30th, 2026. For projects already registered under LEED v4 or v4.1, those projects will have until June 2032 to complete certification. But for new projects — especially those in early design phases — it’s time to start thinking about LEED v5, and we’re here to tell you a little bit about it.
SO WHAT’S NEW?
1. A Holistic Approach to Sustainability
LEED v5 incorporates four new prerequisite-level assessments:
- Climate Resilience Assessment – Evaluates hazard risks, service life, emissions, and exposure levels.
- Human Impact Assessment – Uses demographic, infrastructure, and health data to inform design.
- Carbon Assessment – Establishes baseline carbon footprints with a focus on life-cycle assessments (LCAs).
- Planning for Zero Waste Operations – Sets projects up for zero waste operations
These newly introduced assessments guide the selection of credits that support project goals. In LEED v5, USGBC updated its credits database by revamping credit thresholds, revising documentation requirements to be more streamlined, and adding several new credits that support the system’s goals.
Here’s a snapshot of some new credits that have been introduced:
- Transportation Demand Management – utilizes a transportation demand assessment to inform mode‑shift strategies, stronger performance metrics, and more measurable reductions in transportation emissions.
- Enhanced Resilient Site Design – integrates climate-resilient assessments to guide design strategies.
- Electrification – allows for full or partial electrification, aligned with carbon reduction goals.
- Reduce Peak Thermal Loads – emphasizes envelope and ventilation design that lowers the highest heating and cooling loads, so the grid is less stressed during peak demand periods.
- Occupant Experience – combines several Indoor Environmental Quality (IEQ) elements into one credit with flexible approaches.
- Accessibility & Inclusion – introduces a range of accessibility & inclusion strategies in addition to requiring compliance with local accessibility codes.
- Resilient Spaces – helps teams design buildings to withstand extreme outdoor conditions.
2. Project Priorities Credit Category
LEED v5 merges the Innovation and Regional Priority categories into the new Project Priorities category. This increases the available points and allows more flexibility to meet unique project contexts, including typology, culture, location, and performance objectives.
3. Transition to Arc
LEED v5 systems will now register and certify through a redesigned Arc platform, streamlining performance, certification, and reporting. Existing v4 and v4.1 projects on LEED Online do not need to transition.
4. Platinum Requirements
While LEED scoring remains similar, Platinum certification now requires minimum points in electrification, energy efficiency, embodied carbon, and renewable energy.
WHEN DO THESE CHANGES TAKE EFFECT?
LEED v5 is open for registration on the Arc platform. LEED v4 and v4.1 registration will close on June 30th, 2026, with a sunset date for certification six years later (June 2032). If you would like to certify to LEED v4/v4.1, now would be a good time to get registered. If you’d like to be on the cutting edge or aren’t quite ready to certify right now, we can help you reach your project goals with LEED v5.
Ready to talk about LEED v5 and your project goals?
Let’s connect! Our sustainability consultants are here to guide you through the new requirements and help identify cost-effective strategies. Interested in learning more? We offer AIA-approved Lunch & Learn courses on the transition from LEED v4 to v5. Contact Meredith Hendriks at .
