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LEED v5 – Setting New Standards for Sustainable Real Estate Strategies

With the official release of LEED v5 in April 2025, a new era of sustainable building certification has begun. While projects can still be registered under LEED v4 or v4.1 until approximately the end of Q1 2026, LEED v5 already offers a forward-looking framework for implementing ambitious sustainability goals. Details on the transition to the new system will be published in the coming months.

What’s New in LEED v5?

LEED v5 places decarbonization at the core of its framework. A building’s CO₂ emissions are assessed across the entire life cycle—from material production and construction to operation. To achieve the highest certification level, LEED Platinum, full electrification and 100% renewable energy supply will be required.

Additional Key Updates

Reduction of embodied emissions through conscious material choices and low-emission construction processes
Resilience and social responsibility addressed through climate risk analyses and human impact assessments
Greater regional alignment, including new Alternative Compliance Paths (ACPs) and nine Regional Credits—particularly relevant in the context of the EU Taxonomy
Digital certification process via the new ARC platform, which integrates registration, documentation, and performance monitoring

Recommendations for Clients and Partners

To fully leverage the potential of LEED v5, it is essential to define key strategies early in the project lifecycle:

Engage in active dialogue with users and operators to jointly optimize sustainability, comfort, and operations
Integrate CO₂ analysis and material strategies at the outset
Define electrification, resilience, and resource efficiency as core planning principles
Consider life cycle costs and operational performance in decision-making
Embed monitoring and performance tracking from the very beginning

What Does intep Offer?

As an experienced advisory team, intep provides comprehensive support throughout the entire LEED certification process—from strategic goal setting and planning through to implementation, successful submission, and continuous performance optimization.

Our Services at a Glance:

CO₂ modeling, life cycle assessments, and energy modeling in early design phases
Development of electrification and decarbonization strategies
Consulting on the selection of low-emission, resource-efficient materials
Climate and risk analyses, as well as human impact assessments
Training sessions, workshops, and project-specific knowledge transfer on LEED v5
LEED v5 presents major opportunities—let us help you make the most of them.