The latest updated LEED v5 rating system is set to be released imminently. Originally slated to take effect in early 2025, the member ratification vote was held from February 25 to March 28. Once it’s fully ratified, the new v5 ratings will likely replace the previous LEED v4.1 system later in the spring or summer.
As with previous LEED versions, v5 is divided into three major categories concerning different aspects of building construction and maintenance:
- Building Design and Construction
- Building Interior and Construction
- Building Operations and Maintenance
(Drafts of these documents can be found on the USGBC’s official LEED v5 page.)
Also similar to previous versions, LEED v5 is designed around three main sustainability goals regarding construction and occupancy:
- Emphasis on decarbonization
- Ecological conservation and restoration
- Human quality of life
As one of the premier providers of sustainable waterproof concrete, Hycrete always keeps up-to-date with new trends in the industry. In a recent blog, we laid out the basics of LEED v4.1, much of which will likely still apply to the upcoming v5 system.
What Is LEED v5?
Architectural firms, construction companies, and building owners throughout the industry increasingly embrace LEED to achieve better sustainability and better longevity for their investments. Depending on the industry and municipality, there may also be various regulatory advantages and monetary incentives to LEED certification.
The new LEED v5 system builds on the framework established in LEED v4, placing a greater emphasis on embodied carbon, operational efficiency, as well as human health and wellbeing:
- Enhanced Focus on Decarbonization – LEED v5 places a stronger emphasis on reducing carbon emissions throughout a building’s lifecycle. This includes mandatory assessments of embodied carbon and strategies to minimize both operational and embodied carbon impacts.
- Integration of Equity and Health Considerations – The new version incorporates a heightened focus on social equity and human health, recognizing the critical connection between the built environment and occupant well-being.
- Streamlined Credit Categories – LEED v5 reorganizes and streamlines credit categories to improve clarity and usability. The rating system now aligns credits and prerequisites around three global goals: climate action, quality of life, and conservation and ecological restoration.
- Mandatory Building Enclosure Commissioning – Aligning with updated standards such as ASHRAE 90.1-2019, LEED v5 requires building enclosure commissioning to ensure energy efficiency and performance.
- Emphasis on Continuous Indoor Air Quality Monitoring – The updated system awards more points for real-time, continuous monitoring of indoor air quality parameters, promoting healthier indoor environments.
Hycrete Helps Builders Reach Their LEED Targets and Sustainability Goals
With the continued growth of LEED and sustainability targets throughout the built environment, Hycrete is the best choice for concrete waterproofing and corrosion protection. Guaranteeing long-term protection with no need for an external membrane, Hycrete adds various LEED targets and delivers unmatched performance in the process.
There’s even a specific LEED category for “Low-Emitting Materials” which includes waterproof membranes and any secondary waterproofing methods within the “building exterior” classification. A total of 3 LEED points are possible. It’s just one of the many categories that Hycrete helps you achieve – in addition to better overall sustainability and a higher ROI.
Hycrete: Leading the Way in a LEED-Focused Industry
Hycrete helps you build better and meet your sustainability targets. Backed by more than two decades of experience and thousands of successful projects worldwide, Hycrete has become the first name in sustainable concrete waterproofing for builders seeking LEED certification.
