The US Green Building Council on Monday launched LEED v5, a major update to its globally recognized green building rating system, aiming to drive deeper impacts on climate resilience, human health and community well-being.


The non-profit group said in a statement that the new version of Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design strengthens sustainability standards for the building industry and offers updated digital tools to make certification more accessible.


“LEED v5 raises the bar, further defining and evolving best practices and giving stakeholders across the building industry clear pathways to address today’s challenges to our health, climate and communities,” USGBC President and CEO


The revamped system prioritizes decarbonization, with projects earning half of their certification points by reducing carbon emissions from building operations, construction materials, refrigerants and transportation.

Projects are now required to complete long-term decarbonization plans. USGBC