BREEAM

BREEAM
Name	Building Research Establishment Environmental Assessment Method
Type	Certification scheme
Founded	1990
Founder	Building Research Establishment
Headquarters	Watford
Area served	International
Industry	Environmental assessment
Products	Environmental assessment method

BREEAM is a performance-based environmental assessment and certification system for buildings and masterplans, developed to evaluate environmental, social, and health performance. It started as a UK-based model and expanded into international variants used for offices, homes, schools, and infrastructure projects. The scheme interfaces with regulatory frameworks, industry standards, and professional bodies to influence sustainable design, construction, and asset management.

Overview

BREEAM assesses buildings across multiple categories to assign ratings that reflect environmental performance and resilience. It uses credits and weighting to translate technical measures into ratings aligned with practice in United Kingdom, European Union, United States, United Arab Emirates, and other jurisdictions. The method is administered by Building Research Establishment and is referenced by procurement frameworks, professional institutions such as Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors, Chartered Institute of Building, and financing bodies including European Investment Bank and private banks. It interacts with standards like ISO 14001, ISO 50001, ISO 21931, and building codes like Building Regulations (England and Wales), while informing green building labels including LEED, WELL Building Standard, and Green Star.

History and development

Origins trace to research by Building Research Establishment in response to environmental concerns in the late 20th century, influenced by international events like the Rio Earth Summit and policy frameworks such as directives from the European Commission. Early pilots drew on expertise from institutions including BRE, Royal Institute of British Architects, and consultancy groups that worked on projects tied to programmes like Energy Performance of Buildings Directive. Over successive revisions, steering groups included stakeholders from UK Green Building Council, Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, and industry associations such as British Property Federation and Construction Industry Council. Milestones include expanded schemes for offices, schools, healthcare, and infrastructure, and alignment efforts with the Kyoto Protocol and later climate initiatives.

Assessment categories and methodology

The method evaluates buildings across categories such as energy, water, materials, health and wellbeing, pollution, transport, land use and ecology, management, and innovation. Assessors allocate credits for measures including energy modelling, airtightness testing, lifecycle assessment, and materials certification sourced from schemes like Forest Stewardship Council and Programme for the Endorsement of Forest Certification. Scoring is weighted and summed to yield ratings that influence planning decisions and investor due diligence by firms like UBS, Barclays, and sovereign wealth entities. Methodological elements reference technical standards such as BS EN 15978, BS EN ISO 14040, CEN standards, and national guidance from bodies like National House Building Council.

Versions and certification schemes

BREEAM has produced sector-specific schemes including variants for offices, homes, schools, retail, warehouses, healthcare, and communities, plus bespoke protocols for refurbishment, fit-out, and masterplanning. Parallel certification routes include design-stage and post-construction assessments, and schemes tailored for assessment of operational performance and asset management. The system evolved through named versions released periodically, with governance by BRE Global and oversight interactions with organisations like BSI Group and accreditation bodies such as UK Accreditation Service and international partners like SGS and TÜV SÜD.

Global adoption and regional adaptations

Adoption spans continents with notable implementations in United Kingdom, Netherlands, Sweden, Norway, Germany, Poland, South Africa, India, China, United Arab Emirates, Singapore, Australia, and New Zealand. Regional adaptations address climatic, regulatory, and cultural contexts and have been developed with local partners including national certification bodies, architectural schools like University College London and corporate clients such as Arup, WSP Global, and AECOM. Collaborations with municipal governments have influenced planning in cities like London, Amsterdam, Stockholm, Dubai, and Singapore.

Criticism and impact studies

Scholarly critiques and industry reviews have examined performance gaps between predicted and operational energy use, referencing studies by universities such as University of Cambridge, University of Oxford, and Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Critics cite potential trade-offs in score optimization, comparability with schemes like LEED and DGNB, and reliance on modelling assumptions. Impact assessments by think tanks and consultancies including Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors research teams, World Green Building Council, and IEA analyses evaluate lifecycle carbon, occupant health, and resilience outcomes. Responses include updates to operational performance pathways, post-occupancy evaluation requirements, and tighter evidence standards.

Implementation and certification process

Certification requires engagement of licensed assessors, submission of verified evidence, and quality assurance by certification bodies accredited by organisations such as UK Accreditation Service or national equivalents. The process typically begins with a pre-assessment, then design-stage evaluation, construction-stage verification, and final post-construction certification, with options for in-use monitoring and recertification. Project teams often include consultants, contractors, clients, and certifiers drawn from professional registers maintained by BRE Global, RICS, and other professional organisations. Successful certification can influence procurement, tenant demand, insurance underwriting, and financing from institutions like European Investment Bank and commercial lenders.

Category:Environmental certification