As the LEED rating system continues to evolve, USGBC has announced the deadline for registering projects under v4 is June 30, 2026. Projects registered by the deadline will have until June 30, 2032 to submit documentation for initial design review.
So what is LEED v5 all about? The short answer is that it builds on existing credits, while adding an emphasis on carbon reduction via the introduction of several new prerequisites. Credits that fall withing the “Decarbonization” impact category will now make up 50% of total points available. The rest of the points are allocated equally between “Quality of Life” and “Ecological Conservation and Restoration” impacts.
Additionally, from the USGBC press release: “All LEED v5 projects will complete an operational carbon projection and will be given tools to craft a comprehensive, long-term decarbonization strategy, creating pathways for sustainable transformation... [Projects] will [also] complete climate resilience assessments to enhance awareness of hazards, increase transparency of risks, reduce vulnerabilities, and ensure long-term safety and sustainability.”
For a more comprehensive summary, take a look at our blog post on the topic or see the USGBC’s press release from last year.
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