US Green Building Council opens LEED v5 project certification

The U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC), the Washington-based global developer of the LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) standards, has opened certification for its LEED v5 rating system. 

USGBC says it showcased the practical use of LEED v5 and featured exclusive presentations, workshops and training for the new system at the Greenbuild International Conference and Expo. 

“Since releasing the rating system and launching LEED v5 registration earlier this year, we have seen interest in using the new rating system spread across the industry,” USGBC President and CEO Peter Templeton says. “Recognizing that LEED v5 is a significant step forward, we are committed to helping our community understand and apply the new elements by providing USGBC members and LEED users with detailed resources and enhanced support.” 

USGBC says LEED v5 offers clear steps for buildings to achieve near-zero carbon status while prioritizing the health and wellbeing of people and communities. Projects that invest in LEED certification will see a return on investment through higher asset values, increased occupancy rates and higher rents, according to a Cushman and Wakefield report. 

LEED v5 tools and resources 

LEED users can now certify projects under the new rating system. Scorecards focused on LEED v5’s core impact areas—decarbonization, quality of life and ecological conservation and restoration—are available to guide project teams in planning goals and intent. Tools, including calculators, a scorecard builder, recertification guidance and a decarbonization workbook, support the success of project teams in achieving certification, says USGBC. 

The newest editions of the LEED v5 Reference Guide build on the launch previews, adding details, examples and context to support project teams. Informed by user feedback and community input, USGBC says 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 (IWBI) and the LEED v5 and SITES crosswalk. 

For the first time, Platinum projects will require minimum carbon reductions that set them apart as models for net zero trajectories. USGBC says the new rating system is designed to expand access, enabling more project teams to pursue ultra-low carbon, healthy and restorative buildings that enhance quality of life and improve efficiency. 

Through beta testing of the LEED v5 Operations and Maintenance (O+M) system, USGBC says more than 20 early adopters have achieved certification, demonstrating 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 emission and water usage. 

“LEED certification represents not only a technical standard, but also a true symbol of prestige within the community,” says Felipe Flores, Reichmann International director of operations and administrator of Torre Diana, a LEED v5 Platinum certified project in Mexico City. “We have seen how this recognition generates trust and admiration among visitors, users, and industry leaders.”