Trial / Demo
It’s been over 10 years since the last major LEED version change, with the launch of LEED v4 in 2013. Much has changed technically, digitally and socially in those years, as has the building design and construction industry. As we move forward, we’ll see the world in which we live continue to change at scale and pace – and it is vital that our standards reflect this.
Against this backdrop, it’s no surprise that LEED v5 - launched just last week - marks a significant evolution in the U.S. Green Building Council’s flagship rating system. It builds on LEED’s 25-year legacy of championing standards that help to align the built environment with critical imperatives, including decarbonization.
Over the years, LEED has upheld strict criteria, solidifying its reputation as one of the most influential performance benchmarks in the building industry. Their commitment to transforming the built environment and reducing its impact on our planet is one that is very much shared by the team here at IES, who have been pioneering technological innovation in sustainable building design and operation for over 30 years now (you can download our "30 Years of Climate Hurt" report to learn more about this, and what lies ahead).
As we look ahead to the next 30 years, the work that IES and LEED undertake will become more important than ever. Given the current state of play, it’s no surprise that LEED v5 reflects a sharper focus on climate action by ensuring half of all LEED points are linked to decarbonization. This update aims to provide clear, actionable steps designed to deliver ultra-low-carbon buildings by targeting emissions reductions across all aspects of the building life cycle, including operations, embodied carbon, refrigerants and transportation.
In particular, the v5 changes to the BD+C Energy and Atmosphere (EA) credit category aims to facilitate the design and construction of low-carbon buildings, by increasing carbon literacy and providing a clear framework for reducing or eliminating emissions. It focuses on four critical steps for decarbonization: electrification, reduced peak thermal loads, enhanced energy efficiency, and renewable energy. While it still references ASHRAE 90.1 as the baseline for energy modelling, it updates the version from 2016 to 2019/2022.
LEED v5 also brings sweeping updates across all rating systems including Building Design and Construction (BD+C), Interior Design and Construction (ID+C) and Operations and Maintenance (O+M). It rebalances project scoring, introducing new metrics for greenhouse gas emissions and mobility, and strengthens the role of performance modeling in achieving certification.
At IES, we are continually investing to update our solutions to keep pace with evolving standards, and we possess the most comprehensive coverage of compliance and certification adherence within our Virtual Environment (IESVE) building performance software tools. It is the only non-US government backed tool to have been approved for use for compliance with Title 24 in California, ECCCNYS in New York and Florida’s Commercial Energy Code, and for enabling tax incentives submissions within these states and others.
LEED v5 sets a bold new standard—and presents a timely opportunity for forward-thinking design and engineering teams to lead. Building on earlier shifts, such as the launch of LEED v4.1 in 2019, which placed greater weight on a building’s operational performance, LEED v5 ensures continuity across the whole building life cycle by aligning KPIs and data needs from design and construction to operations and maintenance, with an increasing emphasis on ongoing performance monitoring.
LEED v5 highlights the importance of the global movement for sustainable building practices. As a proud U.S. Green Building Council member, IES are committed to supporting the transition to a low-carbon and healthier built environment. This version of LEED seamlessly unites environmental stewardship and high-performance buildings, offering practical solutions that IES can support with IESVE software.
