Exploring LEED v5: Resilience, Health and Sustainability

5/1/2025

As the built environment evolves, so does LEED rating system. 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 about what’s coming in LEED v5, highlighting its expanded focus on resilience, occupant well-being, and data-driven performance — all while reinforcing the program’s core mission of resource efficiency and sustainability. 

LEED v5, which launched earlier this week, continues to offer recognition for high-performing buildings through a flexible scorecard system. For facility managers, the program’s operations and maintenance track features credits tied to energy and water tracking, waste diversion, indoor air quality monitoring, green cleaning protocols, and more.

One of the most notable shifts in LEED v5 is the emphasis on resilience and emergency preparedness — addressing everything from wildfire smoke infiltration to pandemic response strategies. Another key evolution: a deeper integration of human health, worker safety, and community impact, reinforcing the idea that green buildings must serve both the planet and the people inside them. 

Baker also stressed the importance of ongoing monitoring and recertification to reflect operational realities. With tools like sensors and smart analytics becoming more accessible, LEED now encourages building teams to optimize performance continuously — and plan strategically for decarbonization goals like net zero. 

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 for the facility market. He has more than 20 years of experience writing about facility related issues.