USGBC Shares Updates Made to LEED v5

By Dan Weltin, Contributing Editor

LEED v5 is ushering in a new era of green building — one where occupant well-being stands alongside sustainability as a core priority. During the NFMT conference and trade show in Baltimore, Melissa Baker of the U.S. Green Building Council talked with Facility Chief Editor Dan Weltin and shared a preview of how the latest version of the LEED rating system strengthens its commitment to people, not just performance. 

While LEED has always emphasized energy, water, and resource efficiency, v5 takes a distinctly human-centered approach. The program now includes enhanced criteria for indoor environmental quality, occupant health, and workplace safety. From air quality monitoring and green cleaning protocols to occupant satisfaction surveys and service worker protection, the updates recognize the critical role facility managers play in shaping healthy, resilient indoor environments. 

Baker highlighted that LEED v5 broadens its lens to consider all occupants — not just staff and tenants, but also visitors, vendors, and service teams. The new framework emphasizes creating safe, inclusive, and responsive spaces through data-driven operations and clear performance benchmarks. 

The updated rating system also introduces stronger guidance on resilience planning — helping facilities prepare for events like wildfires, extreme weather, and health crises. These changes align sustainability with emergency readiness, ensuring that buildings support human needs even in times of disruption. 

LEED v5 further encourages facility managers to leverage technology for continuous performance improvement, while supporting long-term decarbonization planning. For teams striving toward net-zero or carbon neutrality, it provides both structure and flexibility to align building operations with evolving environmental and human-centered goals. 

Listen to the full audio recording of the discussion to learn more about the upcoming LEED v5 rating system.

Dan Weltin is the editor-in-chief of the facilities market, which includes Facility Maintenance Decisions, a sister publication to Facility Cleaning Decisions.

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posted on 5/19/2025