Fact Sheet: LEED v5 — The Next Generation of Green Building
AUTHOR: VERDANI CERTIFICATIONS DEPARTMENT
JUNE 11, 2025Highlights
LEED® v5 launched in September 2023 and was officially released for public use on April 28, 2025
Focuses on three key impact areas: decarbonization, quality of life, and ecological conservation and restoration
Major updates to the BD+C, ID+C, and O+M rating systems (this fact sheet includes information on O+M updates)
LEED v4 and v4.1 will be phased out by the end of Q1 2026
Introduction
For decades, the commercial real estate industry has leveraged LEED certification to strategically enhance portfolio value, tenant satisfaction, and competitive advantage. LEED v5 marks a transformative leap in sustainable building standards, responding to global imperatives of climate action, resilience, human well-being, equity, and ecological restoration. The updated standards provide a pathway for creating high performance buildings that are low-carbon and resilient.
LEED v5 was officially released for public use on April 28, 2025, through the U.S. Green Building Council® (USGBC)’s new Arc platform. This fact sheet offers an overview of key LEED v5 updates, certification deadlines and timelines, and specific changes to the LEED O+M rating system.
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