An important date to remember: June 30, 2026 — this is the last day to register projects under LEED Version 4.
LEED Version 5 represents a major step forward in sustainable building standards. Version 5 focuses on decarbonization—both operational and embodied—along with environmental conservation and quality of life. The new version strongly emphasizes electrification and resilience.
Additionally, the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) plans to update the LEED standard every five years, rather than the previous ten-year cycle. This accelerated timeline will allow LEED to adopt sustainability initiatives more rapidly and remain aligned with the evolving goals of a resilient built environment.
When a LEED updates to a new version, we see these typical changes:
- Some previous credits become required prerequisites
- Minimum thresholds increase to become more stringent
- Reference standards update to more recent editions
- New credits are introduced
LEED credit categories and certification levels remain constant in Version 5. Below is a summary of key updates.
Integrated Process, Planning, and Assessment
The integrated process category now requires climate, human, and carbon assessment. LEED Version 5 assessment information is shared with the owner to enhance awareness and inspire design and operational strategies based on the findings.
Water Efficiency
The water category merges indoor and outdoor water use reduction into a single credit. LEED Version 5 places a stronger emphasis on water reuse and minimizing potable water consumption. Low-flow fixtures alone will earn minimal points; projects are encouraged to pursue rainwater and greywater harvesting strategies.
For example:
- Can we harvest rainwater from the roof and use the collected water for toilet flushing?
- If we must irrigate the site, can we harvest rainwater from nearby site paving for our irrigation needs?
At Northern High School, rainwater is harvested from the parking areas and stored in an underground 11,400 cubic-foot cistern for athletic field irrigation. This water conservation strategy contributed to the school achieving LEED Silver certification.
Energy and Atmosphere
The energy category prioritizes electrification, adoption of heat pumps, and incorporation of renewable energy systems. LEED version 5 updates to ASHRAE 90.1-2019 standard, plus projects register in 2028 or later are required to comply with ASHREA 90.1- 2022. These changes will significantly influence the number of achievable energy points compared to LEED Version 4. Version 5 also emphasizes enhanced commissioning, ongoing system monitoring, and energy storage. Projects must now meet a whole-building air leakage rate of 0.40 cfm/ft² at a pressure differential of 0.3 in. of water. Plus, a new credit that focuses on the building envelope with even stricter air leakage test requirements, ventilation recovery requirements, and thermal bridging limits.
Materials and Resources
The materials category requires planning for zero-waste operations and dedicated space for food waste storage. Site-separated construction waste management is prioritized to verify recycling goals more accurately. Plus, a modified credit which values the reduction in embodied carbon of the structure, building enclosure, and hardscape, through life cycle analysis or environmental product declaration optimization. Additionally, tracking carbon emissions during construction activities and prohibiting vehicle idling are also new additions to the rating system.
Indoor Environmental Quality
The indoor environmental quality category now includes more rigorous air quality testing for particulate matter and VOC’s, along with options for continuous air monitoring. Version 5 adds the accessibility and inclusion credit which focuses on design strategies to aid physical diversity, safety and aging, social health, and navigation. Resilience spaces credit is a new credit focused on design strategies that maintain higher indoor air quality when outdoor or indoor conditions are compromised.
At Park View High School, for example, we achieved a pilot credit for Indoor Air Quality and Infection Control, which includes enhanced ventilation and filtration requirements to minimize the airborne transmission of diseases. The school, currently under construction, is pursuing LEED Silver certification.
LEED version 5 marks a substantial evolution in the certification standard. When we compared a LEED Version 4 project to a LEED Version 5 of the same design, the certification level dropped from LEED Gold to LEED Certified, reflecting the higher performance bar. As always, early planning is key. Let our team guide you through LEED, Green Globes, the International Green Construction Code, Phius, or WELL—let’s talk about the right path for your next project.
