Concept to Carbon Neutral  

Designing with LEED v5 towards carbon reduction

Sponsored by Armstrong World Industries

This course is part of the Sustainability Academy

This course explores USGBC’s LEED v5 framework, highlighting credits and strategies to deliver ultra-low carbon buildings. Participants will review the intention behind the LEED v5 system goals, targeting decarbonization. We will explore the science of carbon emissions and their criticalr ole in global warming, providing a foundational understanding of the chemical properties of carbon and its impact on the environment. Participants will examine the primary sources of carbon emissions in building products, starting from the sourcing of raw materials to the manufacturing process, and learn how specified products can assist in designing out carbon. The course will dive into practical applications for a new LEED v5 credit, “Reduce Peak Thermal Loads,” and examine how phase change material ceilings contribute to this credit. Leave this course with a clear understanding of howLEED v5 prioritizes decarbonization and how your role as a specifier plays a key part in carbon reduction.

Originally published in Architectural Record

Originally published in June 2025

LEARNING OBJECTIVES
  1. Examine USGBC’s LEED v5 strategy to deliver ultra-low carbon buildings through sustainable building practices and energy-efficient design. 
  2. Explore carbon’s environmental impacts and where emissions arise in the lifecycle of building materials.
  3. Acknowledge the essential role specifiers have in encouraging product innovations from manufacturers and the adoption of low-carbon building materials that can contribute to LEED credits.
  4. Review a case study of how phase change material ceilings contribute to meeting the LEED v5 credit pertaining to reducing peak thermal loads.