LEED v5 opens for Public Comment  

The USGBC has released LEED v5 for public comment and CAGBC is happy to support the review process.  

“Public comment” is the latest step for engaging in the LEED development process. The process of developing any new version of LEED is founded on the principle that LEED is developed with and for users—it starts with the green building market. USGBC determines what’s needed as well as what will have the largest impact in the LEED green building program through engagement with LEED volunteers, USGBC members, LEED users, stakeholders. past and future projects, and regional communities such as CAGBC’s members. 

For LEED v5, the next step in this process is the public comment period, now open for feedback. The process will be open until May 20, 2024. 

About LEED v5 

LEED v5 is the next version of the LEED green building rating system that will help buildings contribute toward deep decarbonization goals, while also addressing ecosystems, equity, health, and resilience. 

This version is a representation of what has been heard from volunteers, members, LEED project teams, stakeholders in the industry and many others about the needs driving business decisions across the built environment. 

During the public comment feedback periods, input is sought from all stakeholders. This input will be incorporated into refinements of the drafts. 

What is CAGBC’s role? 

CAGBC supports the continuing evolution of LEED to address the needs and goals of our membership and market. CAGBC has organized stakeholder-based LEED v5 Accelerator groups who, along with our Technical Advisory Groups and LEED Advisory Committee, will conduct a detailed review and assemble Canadian feedback. 

Who can participate in public comment 

Everyone can participate. Public comment is one of the most accessible times to engage in the LEED development process. While other steps are only open to USGBC members, anyone can participate in public comment, and USGBC membership is not required. 

What will be included in the first LEED v5 public comment 

This first public comment period will include rating system drafts for Building Design and Construction (BD+C), Interior Design and Construction (ID+C) and Operations and Maintenance (O+M) and includes all adaptations (adaptations are guidance for specific space types and uses). 

How to comment 

First, read the rating system drafts. You can view them either as documents (PDFs) or in the LEED credit library. 

Credit library 

• LEED BD+C: New Construction 
• LEED BD+C: Core and Shell 
• LEED ID+C: Commercial interiors 
• LEED O+M: Existing Buildings 

PDFs 

• LEED BD+C: New Construction 
• LEED BD+C: Core and Shell 
• LEED ID+C: Commercial interiors 
• LEED O+M: Existing Buildings 

Additional tools 

• First public comment companion guide 
• Frequently Asked Questions 

Next, submit your comments. There are five pathways to sharing feedback: 

• Send your feedback to CAGBC’s LEED Coach Canada, where it will be reviewed by our committees and staff, informing our feedback to the USGBC. This must be done by May 3, 2024, to allow incorporation into our  review. CAGBC will provide consolidated and summarized feedback to USGBC, not individual feedback. 

• CAGBC Specialist members are invited to participate in a special CAGBC member webinar on May 1^st (3pm Eastern) to learn about LEED v5, have their questions answered, and provide feedback directly to USGBC and CAGBC staff. Members can expect an invitation shortly. 

• Provide feedback directly to the USGBC in the LEED credit library: 
  • In the LEED credit library, select “v5 – Public Comment 1” in the list of versions, then select the rating system. 
  • Select a credit to review. 
  • Each credit has a Comment button that opens a box for feedback. You will need to sign in to your usgbc.org account to submit your comment. 

• LEEDuser discussion forums: Join any of the LEEDuser forums to record a comment:
  • LEED v5 O+M Existing Buildings Public Comments 
  • LEED v5 BD+C/ID+C: Overall and Appendix Public Comments 
  • LEED v5 BD+C/ID+C: Integrative Process, Planning and Assessments Public Comments 
  • LEED v5 BD+C/ID+C: Location and Transportation Public Comments 
  • LEED v5 BD+C/ID+C: Sustainable Sites Public Comments 
  • LEED v5 BD+C/ID+C: Water Efficiency Public Comments 
  • LEED v5 BD+C/ID+C: Energy and Atmosphere Public Comments 
  • LEED v5 BD+C/ID+C: Materials and Resources Public Comments
  • LEED v5 BD+C/ID+C: Indoor Environmental Quality Public Comments 
  • LEED v5 BD+C/ID+C: Project Priorities and Innovation Public Comments

• Join CAGBC and USGBC staff and committee representative in person on June 5^th at the Building Lasting Change LEED v5 Forum. Learn more about the draft rating systems, and what feedback CAGBC’s committees prepared based on Canadian market needs. Join in a lively conversation as we engage participants to discuss their thoughts on the future direction of LEED; a summary of feedback at the session will be provided to USGBC.

What is looked for in the comments 

During public comment, the USGBC is looking for feedback on the credits that includes what you think works well and what needs refinement. The most impactful comments will include not just feedback, but also the thoughts behind it. Why do you agree (or disagree) with a specific direction? It’s also an opportunity to ask questions. 

What happens to the comments 

As part of USGBC governance, each and every comment received through the credit library and LEEDuser will be reviewed and responded to. The comments (without the name of the commenter or any identifying text) and their responses will be released in a report following the close of the public comment period. CAGBC will highlight this information when available. 

A thank you to the community of volunteers and members 

LEED has always been consensus-based, and the USGBC and CAGBC thank our volunteers, past and present, for their contributions to our shared mission of creating a more sustainable world. With LEED v5, USGBC staff and volunteers engaged in a year-long, expansive community engagement process to determine what the future of LEED would hold; in Canada, CAGBC held engagement sessions with its members and committees. The USGBC then collaborated further with their deeply knowledgeable and expansive community of USGBC committee volunteers, which includes Canadians. 

Everyone is invited to join this journey.  

Want to read more?

Check out USGBC’s LEED v5 site  and past CAGBC articles on LEED v5: 

• Lead up to LEED v5: Timeline Update 
• The lead-up to LEED v5 
• LEED v5 at Greenbuild 
• Decarbonization will be a focus in LEED v5 BD+C 
• Draft released for LEED v5 O+M: Existing Buildings