The U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) has officially released the LEED v5 Operations and Maintenance (O+M) rating system for public use as of April 28, 2025. This marks the most comprehensive update since LEED v4, representing a strategic shift in how green building performance is measured and managed. The new framework is centered around three critical impact areas: decarbonization, quality of life, and ecological conservation and restoration.
With global ESG expectations rising and regulations tightening, LEED v5 introduces updated prerequisites and credits, along with new elements that emphasize emissions reduction, health and wellness, equity, biodiversity, and resilience. These changes reflect the evolving priorities of investors, regulators, and tenants — making it more important than ever for property owners and managers to understand what’s changed and how these changes affect certification planning.
Verdani’s team has published a quick-reference fact sheet to help clients prepare. Key highlights include:
LEED v5 was launched in September 2023 and released for public use in April 2025
Three new focus areas: decarbonization, quality of life, and ecological conservation/restoration
Major updates to BD+C, ID+C, and O+M rating systems (this edition focuses on O+M)
LEED v4 and v4.1 will sunset by end of Q1 2026
To learn about these important changes to the LEED framework and how to best navigate LEED v5, read our full fact sheet and contact our Certification team at the links below.
