The release of LEED v5 in 2025 marks a pivotal shift in sustainable construction, with embodied carbon now front and center. Assessing and reporting embodied carbon is a mandatory prerequisite for LEED certification. This change compels building product manufacturers to take immediate action or risk exclusion from future LEED projects. If manufacturers don’t get serious about embodied carbon now, they’ll be watching their competitors’ products walk onto projects without them. LEED v5 isn’t optional — and neither is your preparation.
What Is the Embodied Carbon Prerequisite?
LEED v5 introduces a new prerequisite requiring all projects to assess and quantify the global warming potential (GWP) of materials used in building structures, enclosures, and hardscapes. This assessment focuses on cradle-to-gate emissions, encompassing raw material extraction, transportation, and manufacturing processes. Unlike previous versions where such assessments were optional, LEED v5 mandates this evaluation as a baseline requirement for certification. This shift underscores the industry’s commitment to transparency and accountability in reducing carbon footprints.
The intent of the Quantify and Assess Embodied Carbon prerequisite is “To quantify the embodied carbon impacts of the structure, enclosure, and hardscape of a project and assess the top sources of embodied carbon.” At a minimum, project teams must include asphalt, concrete, masonry, structural steel, insulation, aluminum extrusions, structural wood and composites, cladding, and glass. If you manufacture or distribute any of listed materials, you will need documentation about the product’s embodied carbon. If your products don’t meet the embodied carbon prerequisite, specifiers will find someone else who does. It’s that simple
Why Manufacturers Must Act Now
- Product Specification Risks: Without Environmental Product Declarations (EPDs) and other transparency documentation, products may be overlooked in favor of those meeting LEED v5 criteria.
- Market Demand for Low-Carbon Materials: LEED v5 incentivizes the use of materials with reduced embodied carbon, pushing manufacturers to innovate and offer sustainable alternatives.
- Competitive Advantage: Early adoption of LEED v5 requirements positions manufacturers as leaders in sustainability, appealing to environmentally conscious clients and projects.
Steps Manufacturers Should Take
- Develop or Update EPDs: Ensure all products have current, third-party verified EPDs detailing their environmental impacts.
- Conduct Life-Cycle Assessments (LCAs): Perform comprehensive LCAs to identify areas for reducing embodied carbon in product manufacturing.
- Engage in Transparency Programs: Participate in initiatives like the AIA Materials Pledge to align with industry standards and expectations.
- Collaborate with Sustainability Experts: Work with consultants to navigate LEED v5 requirements and optimize product offerings accordingly.
LEED v5’s embodied carbon prerequisite is not just a regulatory change; it’s a call to action for building product manufacturers. Proactively addressing these requirements will not only ensure continued relevance in the market but also contribute to the broader goal of sustainable and responsible construction practices. To learn more about how building product manufacturers can get their products specified please watch our new video “LEED v5 For Building Product Manufacturers”.
Video Link: https://shorturl.at/9k383