Resilience is a fundamental component of high-performance green building as climate conditions become more variable and extreme. Minnesotans are experiencing greater exposure to periods of wildfire and poor AQI, irregular periods of heavy rainfall and flooding, severe storms, heat stress, disappearing snow and drought, and other climate-related hazards that introduce new levels of uncertainty for building owners, occupants, and communities. Resilience is a critical risk-management strategy that supports long-term building performance, operational continuity, and asset durability. 

LEED v5 puts resilience at the forefront – serving as the backbone structure to the critical impact areas. Climate resilience is embedded into the certification framework through prerequisites that require project teams to assess current and future climate hazards, evaluate vulnerabilities, and incorporate mitigation measures into project planning and design. Rather than relying exclusively on historical weather data, LEED v5 promotes a forward-looking approach that considers projected climate conditions and the potential impacts those conditions may have on building systems, infrastructure, and occupant safety.  

Leadership in green building has never been more important. As climate risks continue to evolve, organizations that advance resilient and sustainable development practices will play a critical role in shaping Minnesota’s built environment. The Impact Symposium features thought leadership, hands on workshop for applying LEED v5 to real world projects, and opportunity to discuss and connect with leaders, colleagues, and peers in the green building industry focused on Minnesota’s changing climate.