US Green Building Council Launches New LEED Rating System for Sustainable Buildings

Posted on April 29, 2025

On Monday, the US Green Building Council (USGBC) launched LEED v5, the latest version of its flagship LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) green building program.

The newest version of the LEED standard was developed with input from thousands of green building professionals to respond to today’s most pressing challenges and the significant opportunities at the intersection of sustainability and buildings.

LEED v5 focuses on impact areas that touch decarbonization, human and ecological health, and resilience. The new version further defines what it means to be a high-performance building today, creating even greater investment potential.

Updates include the following:

  • Decarbonization accounts for half of all points for LEED v5 certification to confront current climate needs.
  • Quality of life credits focus on human-centric strategies that address the health and well-being of occupants and the communities in which buildings are located.
  • Resilience is another major theme across the rating system, addressing both human and natural systems to strengthen communities.
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