The introduction and strong rise of LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) in Europe,  marks the strengthened position of LEED in Europe and then specifically in Central Europe. In particular with the new version v5 introduced last summer in Prague (Czech Republic). 

Context of LEED in Europe

In 2017 GBCI (Green Business Certification Inc.) Europe was established, which speeded up the awareness and certification under LEED in Europe. LEED itself has been operative since 1988. Although BREEAM has a strong presence in the European market, LEED is just as big and dominant a system, which gives worldwide recognition. It is certainly for the real estate market an excellent system, and can possibly in some cases even provide a better suited answer for the current sustainability ambitions and questions.  In this v5 version LEED has properly coordinated integration with EU rules with the EU Taxonomy and ‘Level(s)’, a European framework for sustainable buildings. This means that LEED is better equipped than ever to respond to the sustainable ambitions of the European property market.  

LEED registrations

With its introduction last summer, registration for LEED v5-projects became available by the end of 2025 to start up certification of newly built projects in design- and construction phase under (BD+C), and of interior design and – construction under (ID+C) and of operational maintenance under (O+M). This means for owners and project teams that with effect from the summer of 2026, i.e. on 30 June 2026, the registration for LEED v4 and LEED v4.1 will stop. Teams will have the opportunity to finalize the project until the expiry date of the certification on 30 June 2032. On 30 June 2027 the registration for LEED v4.1 (O+M) recertification will close, and teams will have the time to finalize the project until the certification expiry date of 30 June 2032. 

Most important changes in LEED v5

The road towards certification will be slightly different to what teams may have been used to. Projects should be focused on three important impact areas: decarbonisation (50% of the credits), ecological conservation and restoration (25% of the  credits) and quality of life (25% of the credits). 

The focus is on reducing both operational and imbedded carbon across the entire cycle of life, with stronger requirements for (a fully electrical) Platinum level. Wood certifications (PEFC/SFI) are appreciated stronger, and the use of the Arc-platform is obligatory for performance monitoring. In addition, projects should also perform a so-called Climate Resilience Assessment, just like with BREEAM.  

• Decarbonisation and Energy: LEED v5 was designed to lead the market towards a “net-zero” future, with stricter requirements for energy-efficiency and reduction of CO2 emission. For LEED Platinum full electrification and 100% use of renewable energy is obligatory.  
• Embodied Carbon: the new guidelines put a strong emphasis on the quantification and reduction of CO2 impact of building materials (integrated in Materials and resources MRc4 and MRpc181).
• New impact areas: besides the environment LEED v5 now also includes obligatory evaluations with regards to social equality, the health of inhabitants and resilience to climate change.  
• Sustainable forest management: Wood with a PEFC- or SFI-certificate carries more weight, which contributes to worldwide sustainable forest management.  
• Operation and maintenance (O+M): the first v5-release focuses strongly on existing buildings and requires continuous performance monitoring through the Arc-platform. 
• LEED v5 forces projectteams to active planning for among other things zero-waste operations. 

Vision for the future LEED

The U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) has committed itself to a new development cycle of five years. A new assessment system will therefore be expected in 2030. In that way it is guaranteed that there will be enough time to allow projects to get used to this new approach, but that the system will continue to adapt to changes and challenges in the near future.  

Adamas and its consultants are happy to assist you in the choice for LEED or to offer more information whether your project is a good fit for the questions that LEED asks.  

Do you have any further questions? Please contact Olaf Buter or Eelco Krips.