Sustainability in construction just took a major leap forward with LEED v5, the newest version of the world’s leading green building certification system. Developed by the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC), LEED v5 provides a clear roadmap for achieving near-zero carbon emissions, prioritizing human well-being, and designing resilient buildings ready to face 21st-century challenges.
What is LEED v5?
LEED v5 is a comprehensive evolution of the LEED certification system, designed to tackle today’s most pressing challenges in the built environment. This version focuses on three core impact areas:
- Decarbonization: Reduce operational, embodied, refrigerant, and transportation-related emissions.
- Quality of Life: Enhance health, well-being, resilience, and equity for building occupants and communities.
- Ecological Conservation and Restoration: Implement strategies that minimize environmental degradation and actively restore ecosystems.
Diego Bello, CEO of Green Loop, and Linda Contreras, General Manager, together with Maria Alexandra Cardona, Head of Business Development at GBCI Colombia, and Peter Templeton, President and CEO of the U.S. Green Building Council.
These impact areas guide building design, construction, and operations toward a more sustainable and equitable future.
What’s New in LEED v5
LEED v5 introduces several innovations that strengthen its sustainability focus:
- Five-Year Development Cycle: Provides market predictability, with LEED v5 launching in 2025.
- Lifecycle Continuity: Aligns performance indicators and data requirements from design and construction to operations and maintenance, enabling a holistic approach to sustainability.
- Updated Platinum Certification Requirements: Sets higher standards for energy efficiency, carbon reduction, and renewable energy usage, raising the bar for the most sustainable buildings.
Availability and Applications
LEED v5 is currently available for the following rating systems:
- BD+C (Building Design and Construction): New construction, major renovations, and core & shell development.
- ID+C (Interior Design and Construction): Commercial interior projects.
- O+M (Operations and Maintenance): Existing buildings.
Project teams can track and manage sustainable performance through USGBC’s Arc platform, simplifying the certification process.
LEED v5 in Colombia
While LEED v5 is a global initiative, its relevance in Colombia is growing. With increasing environmental awareness and the need to meet international standards, Colombian developers and architects are adopting LEED v5 to ensure their projects are both sustainable and competitive in the global market.
Learn More
For full details on LEED v5 and how to implement it in your projects, visit: https://www.usgbc.org/leed/v5
