How LEED v5 promotes ecological conservation and restoration

Learn how LEED v5 addresses ecological conservation and restoration at the credit level.

Feature image: The LEED Platinum Portobello Shop Jardim Social in Paraná, Brazil. Photo credit: © Petinelli.

As we prepare for the release of LEED v5 in 2025, take a closer look at how the current draft addresses Ecological Conservation and Restoration. As one of the three impact areas driving the rating system update, 25% of the rating system points directly or indirectly address this important focus. Decarbonization is addressed by 50% of the points, and Quality of Life is addressed by the remaining 25%.

Why ecological conservation and restoration matters

The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) and other scientific bodies have underscored the critical need to protect and restore at least 30% of the world's land and seas by 2030 in order to mitigate the worst effects of climate change. This "30 by 30 goal" was formally adopted as part of the Convention on Biological Diversity's Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework. It represents a bold and urgent global effort to mitigate the worst impacts of climate change, halt biodiversity loss and enhance ecosystem resilience, with a relatively short opportunity to do so.

Additionally, research continues to correlate biodiversity and access to local green space with both mental and physical human health and well-being. Thus, this goal impacts not only the health of the planet, but the communities and individuals that inhabit it. While the "30 by 30" goal requires action across multiple sectors and ecosystems, LEED projects are well positioned to contribute meaningfully to this global initiative.

How LEED v5 addresses ecosystem protection

The ecological conservation and restoration impact area of LEED v5 emphasizes strategies and actions that can be implemented at the individual asset level that limit environmental degradation and seek to rehabilitate and restore ecosystems.

LEED's comprehensive framework considers the interconnectedness of ecological systems and human-built environments, aiming to minimize ecological harm while promoting restoration and biodiversity conservation. They have been developed through thousands of volunteer hours and in collaboration with the LEED committees, along with two rounds of public comment.

This impact area is encouraged through three main strategies:

1. Conserving natural habitats
2. Restoring natural habitats
3. Efficiently using resources that impact natural habitats

These strategies have been designed to be both project-specific (benefiting the project's ecosystems directly) and impactful on a larger scale (such as reducing downstream impacts from supply chain purchases). They build upon previous iterations of LEED, and are designed to be more accessible for projects of varying density and location.

Let's delve further into what this means at the credit level.

Conserving natural habitats

LEED v5 encourages practices that minimize the negative impacts of construction activities and reward deliberate consideration of local species and ecosystems throughout site design, development and management. To limit urban sprawl and protect sensitive ecosystems, LEED v5 encourages development on infill sites and areas with existing infrastructure, minimizing the environmental impact of where and how we build.

Key strategies include:

• Protecting sensitive lands
• Minimizing impacts to land and wildlife
• Increasing density and mobility options

This includes credits such as:

1. Building Design and Construction (BD+C) prerequisite Minimize Site Disturbance. Limit site disturbance from construction activities and preserve existing native vegetation, healthy soils and wildlife habitats.
2. BD+C credit Sensitive Land Protection. Cultivate community resilience by avoiding the development of environmentally sensitive lands that provide critical ecosystem services and reduce the environmental impact from the location of a building on a site.
3. BD+C credit Compact and Connected Development. Conserve land and ecosystem resources by encouraging development in areas with existing infrastructure. Promote livability, walkability and transportation efficiency, including reduced vehicle distance traveled and associated emissions.
4. Operations and Maintenance (O+M) credit Sustainable Transportation Performance. Evaluate the performance of active and shared modes of transportation.
5. O+M credit Light Pollution and Bird Collision Reduction. Increase night sky access, improve nighttime visibility, and reduce the consequences of development for wildlife and people.

Restoring natural habitats

To encourage projects to aim beyond merely reducing impact, LEED v5 supports biodiversity through thoughtful development that rehabilitates damaged ecosystems. To boost the health of these vital systems, LEED encourages projects to consider how to actively benefit the systems around them and boost green space that allows pollinators and wildlife to flourish.

Key strategies include:

• Restoring natural habitat
• Supporting natural water cycles
• Creating resilient sites

This includes credits such as:

1. BD+C credit Biodiverse Habitat. Project teams earn this credit by (1) preserving 40% of greenfield area on the site by protecting these areas from all development and construction activity, and/or (2) restoring previously disturbed areas of the site and following soil restoration and vegetation restoration requirements, in addition to (3) using bird-friendly glass.
2. BD+C credit Rainwater Management. Reduce runoff volume and improve water quality by replicating the natural hydrology and water balance of the site, based on historical conditions and undeveloped ecosystems in the region, to avoid contributing to flooding downstream in front-line communities.
3. BD+C credit Enhanced Resilient Site Design. Reduce the risk of catastrophic impacts from natural and climate events on-site and in adjacent landscapes by designing, building and maintaining sites to be more resilient to observed, projected and future climate and natural hazards.
4. BD+C credit Heat Island Reduction. Mitigate disparate impacts on microclimates and habitats caused by heat islands and extreme heat events.

Efficiently managing resources that impact natural habitats

LEED v5 promotes the responsible use of critical resources such as water and materials while addressing the broader impacts of development. Materials credits focus on the entire life cycle of products, encouraging the use of biobased and reusable materials to minimize environmental impact. Water credits prioritize sustainable sourcing, conservation and stewardship, helping projects reduce their water footprint and manage use responsibly. By addressing these key areas, LEED v5 helps ensure that buildings contribute to a more sustainable and resilient future.

Key strategies include:

• Whole building life cycle assessment for building materials
• Reducing waste and planning for zero waste operations
• Managing rainwater as a resource

This includes credits such as:

1. BD+C prerequisite Planning for Zero Waste Operations. Reduce the amount of waste that is generated by building occupants and hauled to and disposed of in landfills and incinerators through reduction, reuse and recycling service and education, and to conserve natural resources for future generations. Set the building up for success in pursuing zero waste operations.
2. BD+C credit Water Metering and Leak Detection. Conserve potable water resources, support water management, limit potential material waste due to water leak damages and identify opportunities for additional water savings by tracking water consumption.
3. BD+C credit Building Product Disclosure and Optimization. Incorporate reused materials into new building design, thereby reducing embodied carbon, keeping materials in circularity, reducing demand for virgin material sourcing, preserving resources and histories, and increasing demand for reused materials.
4. O+M credit Water Efficiency Performance. Reduce potable water consumption and the associated energy consumption and carbon emissions required to treat and distribute water and preserve potable water resources through an efficiency-first approach.
5. O+M credit Waste Reduction Performance. Prevent waste and reduce the amount of materials from building operations and maintenance that is disposed of in landfills or incinerators.

Explore all the draft credits associated with ecological conservation and restoration in the credit library. They are briefly outlined below.

Credits that contribute to ecological conservation and restoration in LEED v5 BD+C rating system:

Ecological Conservation and Restoration
Integrative Process credit	Integrative Design Process	1
Location and Transportation credit	Sensitive Land Protection	1
Location and Transportation credit	Compact and Connected Development	6
Sustainable Sites prerequisite	Minimize Site Disturbance	Required
Sustainable Sites credit	Biodiverse Habitat	2
Sustainable Sites credit	Accessible Outdoor Space	1
Sustainable Sites credit	Rainwater Management	3
Sustainable Sites credit	Enhanced Resilient Site Design	2
Sustainable Sites credit	Heat Island Reduction	2
Sustainable Sites credit	Light Pollution Reduction	1
Water Efficiency prerequisite	Water Metering and Reporting	Required
Water Efficiency prerequisite	Minimum Water Efficiency	Required
Water Efficiency credit	Water Metering and Leak Detection	1
Water Efficiency credit	Enhanced Water Efficiency	8
Materials and Resources prerequisite	Planning for Zero Waste Operations	Required
Materials and Resources credit	Building and Materials Reuse	3
Materials and Resources credit	Building Product Disclosure and Optimization	5
Materials and Resources credit	Construction and Demolition Waste Diversion	2
Indoor Environmental Quality prerequisite	No Smoking or Vehicle Idling	Required

Credits that contribute to ecological conservation and restoration in LEED O+M: Existing Buildings rating system:

Ecological Conservation and Restoration
Integrative Process prerequisite	Operations Assessment and Policy: Site Operations, Materials Purchasing, Construction and Renovations, Occupant Needs, and Green Cleaning	Required
Location and Transportation credit	Sustainable Transportation Performance	6
Location and Transportation credit	Transportation Demand Management	1
Location and Transportation credit	Electric Vehicles	1
Sustainable Sites credit	Heat Island Reduction	1
Sustainable Sites credit	Light Pollution and Bird Collision Reduction	1
Water Efficiency prerequisite	Water Metering and Reporting	Required
Water Efficiency credit	Water Efficiency Performance	14
Water Efficiency credit	Advanced Water Metering	1
Materials and Resources credit	Waste Reduction Performance	12
Materials and Resources credit	Waste Reduction Strategies	1
Indoor Environmental Quality credit	Integrated Pest Management	1

Explore the LEED v5 credit library

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