The BREEAM Rating System explained

One popular method of assessing the environmental performance of buildings is the Building Research Establishment Environmental Assessment Method (BREEAM). BREEAM is a sustainability rating system used in over 80 countries to evaluate buildings' environmental performance, predominantly in the United Kingdom. This article provides an overview of BREEAM, its benefits, the certification process, levels of certification, how to improve a rating, and more.

What is Breeam?

What are the benefits of Breeam?

What are the BREEAM categories?

Is Breeam mandatory?

How do you get certified under Breeam?

What are Breeam certification levels?

BREEAM In-use for existing buildings

How long does a Breeam certificate last?

How can you improve your Breeam rating?

How can building analytics improve a Breeam rating?

How many buildings are certified under Breeam?

What type of buildings can be rated under Breeam?

In what countries is Breeam used?

How does Breeam differ from LEED?

What is BREEAM?

Unlike MEES, ESOS, commercial EPC scores, BREEAM was not created by the UK Government. Instead, BREEAM is a sustainability rating system developed by the Building Research Establishment (BRE) in the United Kingdom in 1990.

It is designed to evaluate the environmental performance of both new and existing buildings, infrastructure, and master planning projects on a wide range of criteria. These criteria encompass ten categories including energy, water, waste, pollution, transport, materials, health and well-being, management, land use and ecology, and innovation.

The system measures a building's environmental impact by assessing its performance in these categories, which are weighted according to their environmental significance. To achieve certification, a building must meet certain standards and earn a sufficient score across all relevant categories. BREEAM aims to promote buildings that are environmentally, socially, and economically sustainable, enhancing the well-being of the people who live and work in them while minimizing their environmental impact.

BREEAM certification process encourages developers, designers, and building owners to consider sustainability from the earliest stages of the design process, leading to the construction and operation of buildings that contribute positively to their environment.

What are the benefits of BREEAM?

• Complying with local and national sustainability regulations and requirements. In the UK, for example, up to 70% of local authorities currently require a BREEAM certification¹. Likewise, there is a requirement for government buildings as part of the UK government’s Construction Strategy to undergo an environmental assessment².
• Demonstrating a commitment to sustainability and reducing environmental impact.
• Improving the value of the building by increasing its marketability and attractiveness to tenants. BREEAM estimates that a certified building is 8-12% more valuable than a standard building.
• Reducing operating costs through improved energy and water efficiency. BREAM can provide a framework that allows commercial building owners to understand how to make buildings more energy-efficient. This is especially important in light of the ongoing uncertainty around macroeconomic conditions and the rising cost of energy.
• Improving indoor environmental quality, occupant health, and well-being. The value-add for tenants is significant, driving positive sentiment and lease renewal.

What are the BREEAM categories?

BREEAM is a comprehensive approach to assessing environmental performance across several categories, each focusing on a different aspect of environmental sustainability and building performance. Here's an overview of the BREEAM categories and what they entail:

1. Management

This category assesses the management processes used to minimize a building's environmental impact during construction and operation. It includes the management of health and safety, stakeholder engagement, and commissioning to ensure buildings are running as efficiently as possible.

2. Health and Wellbeing

Focusing on the health, wellbeing, and comfort of the building's occupants, this category examines aspects such as indoor air quality, lighting, thermal comfort, and acoustic performance. The goal is to create a healthy, safe, and productive environment for people who live or work in the building.

3. Energy

This category measures the efficiency of a building's energy use, including the implementation of energy-efficient systems and renewable energy sources. It aims to reduce carbon emissions and mitigate the building's impact on climate change.

4. Transport

Assessing the location of the building in relation to existing transport infrastructure and services, this category encourages reduced car use, promotes alternative modes of transport like cycling, walking, and public transport, and minimizes the environmental impact of transport-related activities.

5. Water

Here, the focus is on reducing water consumption and improving water efficiency within the building. This category covers the management of water use in landscaping, building appliances, and fittings, as well as the treatment and recycling of greywater and rainwater.

6. Materials

This category evaluates the environmental impact of building materials throughout their lifecycle, from extraction and processing to transportation, installation, maintenance, and disposal. It encourages the use of sustainably sourced, durable, and recyclable materials.

7. Waste

Focusing on minimizing waste production during construction and operation, this category encourages the reuse and recycling of materials. It assesses waste management strategies to reduce landfill use and promote circular economy principles.

8. Land Use and Ecology

This category aims to protect and enhance the site's ecology and biodiversity. It assesses the impact of the development on the existing natural habitat, promotes ecological value, and encourages sustainable land use and landscaping practices.

9. Pollution

Reducing pollution from noise, light, air, and water, this category addresses the building's contribution to local pollution levels. It includes measures to minimize contamination of the surrounding environment and protect water and air quality.

10. Innovation

Recognizing innovative practices and technologies that push the boundaries of sustainable building design and operation, this category awards credits for exceptional performance and pioneering solutions that are not covered in other categories.

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Is BREEAM mandatory?

BREEAM certification is not mandatory for all buildings in the UK. However, it is often required by local planning authorities for certain types of developments, especially for large commercial or public buildings. This can vary by location and project type, so it's always important to check with the local planning authority.

In addition, certain funders, clients, or other stakeholders may require BREEAM certification as a condition of their involvement in a project. For example, the UK's central government has required BREEAM certification for its own buildings and for those where it contributes significant funding.

How do you get certified under BREEAM?

Achieving BREEAM certification is a structured process that demonstrates a building's sustainability performance against the world's leading design and assessment method for sustainable buildings. Here's a step-by-step guide on how to navigate the certification process, ensuring your project not only meets but exceeds the rigorous standards set out by BREEAM:

1. Pre-Assessment Planning: The journey begins with a thorough understanding of BREEAM's criteria and requirements. This phase involves engaging with a licensed BREEAM assessor who can provide invaluable guidance on the certification process and help set realistic goals based on the project's specifics.
2. Select a Licensed BREEAM Assessor: A crucial step in the certification process is selecting a licensed BREEAM assessor. These professionals are trained and approved by the Building Research Establishment (BRE) to evaluate projects against BREEAM standards. The assessor will work closely with the project team to ensure all BREEAM criteria are understood and met throughout the design, construction, and operational phases.
3. Registration: Early in the project lifecycle, it's important to register your project with BRE. Registration officially enters your project into the BREEAM certification process and provides access to essential resources and support from BRE.
4. Evidence Gathering: Under the guidance of your BREEAM assessor, the project team will collect and compile evidence demonstrating compliance with BREEAM's sustainability criteria. This evidence can include design documents, construction practices, material specifications, and operational strategies.
5. Assessment Submission: Once the evidence is gathered and compiled, your BREEAM assessor submits the assessment to BRE for review. This submission includes detailed documentation of how the project meets or exceeds the various sustainability criteria within BREEAM.
6. Verification and Site Visit: BRE reviews the submitted assessment, and a verification process follows. This may include a site visit by the assessor to confirm the accuracy of the submitted evidence and ensure that the project's sustainability features have been implemented as described.
7. Certification and Rating: After a successful review and verification, BRE issues a BREEAM certification to the project. The certification includes a rating that reflects the project's sustainability performance, ranging from "Pass" to "Outstanding."
8. Post-Certification: After receiving BREEAM certification, it's important to maintain and monitor the building's performance to ensure ongoing compliance with BREEAM standards. Recertification may be required or sought after to demonstrate continued commitment to sustainability.

What are BREEAM certification levels?

The levels of BREEAM certification are as follows:

• Outstanding: Represents pioneering best practice and denotes an exemplary sustainability performance. This level is awarded to projects that achieve 85% or more of the available assessment score.
• Excellent: Indicates best practice and is awarded to projects that achieve 70% or more of the available assessment score.
• Very Good: Represents advanced good practice and is awarded to projects that achieve 55% or more of the available assessment score.
• Good: Denotes intermediate good practice and is awarded to projects that achieve 45% or more of the available assessment score.
• Pass: Indicates that the assessed project meets acceptable sustainability standards. This level is awarded to projects that achieve 30% or more of the available assessment score.
• Unclassified: Projects that do not meet the minimum standard to achieve a Pass rating fall into this category.

Each certification level reflects how well the project meets the BREEAM sustainability criteria, covering a wide range of environmental and sustainability issues. The aim is to encourage developers, designers, and building managers to prioritize sustainability in their projects and to provide a recognized measure of a building's environmental performance​​.

BREEAM In-use: BREEAM for Existing Buildings

While BREEAM is widely recognized for its role in assessing and certifying new buildings, it's equally important to highlight its applicability and significance for existing buildings through the BREEAM In-Use certification. This aspect of BREEAM presents a critical opportunity for building owners, asset managers, and tenants to evaluate, improve, and certify the sustainability performance of their buildings, regardless of their age or condition.

The flexibility of the BREEAM In-Use certification makes it an invaluable tool for improving the sustainability performance of older buildings. By identifying specific areas for improvement, building owners and managers can prioritize investments in retrofitting and upgrades that yield the highest environmental and financial returns. Whether it's upgrading lighting systems to energy-efficient LEDs, improving insulation and HVAC systems, or implementing water conservation measures, BREEAM In-Use provides a structured framework for enhancing the sustainability of existing buildings.

Watch our webinar to learn more about BREEAM in-use.

How long does BREEAM certification last?

The BREEAM In-Use certification is valid for a 3-year period after the certification date. By enabling cyclical reassessment and recertification, BREEAM enables continual monitoring, reporting and improvement of sustainability performance over time.

How can you improve your BREEAM rating?

Improving a BREEAM rating requires careful consideration of several factors that influence the environmental performance of a building. Here are some ways to improve a BREEAM rating:

1. Energy Efficiency: Reducing energy consumption through the use of efficient building services, such as HVAC, lighting, and appliances, can have a significant impact on the BREEAM rating.
2. Water Efficiency: Using efficient plumbing fixtures and fittings and recycling rainwater can help reduce water consumption, which can improve the BREEAM rating.
3. Materials and Waste: Choosing sustainable materials, reducing waste through recycling and reuse, and implementing construction waste management plans can all contribute to a higher BREEAM rating.
4. Transport: Encouraging the use of public transport, bicycles, and electric vehicles can reduce carbon emissions and improve the BREEAM rating.
5. Ecology and Biodiversity: Incorporating green spaces, wildlife habitats, and green roofs can enhance the biodiversity of a building site and improve the BREEAM rating.
6. Pollution: Reducing pollution through measures such as air filtration systems, low-emission vehicles, and monitoring of indoor air quality can contribute to a higher BREEAM rating.
7. Health and Wellbeing: Promoting occupant health and well-being through measures such as natural light, access to outdoor spaces, and ergonomic design can also improve the BREEAM rating.

It's worth noting that the specific strategies to improve a BREEAM rating will vary depending on the building type, location, and other factors, so it's important to consult a qualified BREEAM assessor to develop a customised plan.

How can building analytics improve a BREEAM rating?

Building analytics can help improve a building's BREEAM rating by providing insights into its environmental performance and identifying areas for improvement. Here are some ways building analytics can be used to improve BREEAM rating:

1. Energy Consumption: Building analytics can monitor energy usage and identify areas where energy is being wasted. This information can be used to optimise building systems and reduce energy consumption, which can improve the BREEAM rating. Think of a traditional building energy management system's benefits, but with an added fault detection and diagnosis component.
2. Indoor Air Quality: Building analytics can track indoor air quality parameters such as temperature, humidity, and carbon dioxide levels. This information can be used to optimise ventilation systems and maintain healthy indoor air quality, which can contribute to a higher BREEAM rating.
3. Water Management: Building analytics can monitor water usage and detect leaks, which can help reduce water consumption and improve the BREEAM rating.
4. Waste Management: Building analytics can track waste generation and identify opportunities to reduce waste through recycling and reuse. Effective waste management can help improve the BREEAM rating.
5. Occupant Comfort: Building analytics can monitor factors that impact occupant comfort, such as temperature, lighting, and noise levels. This information can be used to optimise building systems and enhance occupant comfort, which can contribute to a higher BREEAM rating.
6. Renewable Energy: Building analytics can assess the potential for renewable energy generation, such as solar or wind power, and help identify opportunities to incorporate these technologies into the building design. This can help reduce carbon emissions and improve the BREEAM rating.

How many buildings are certified under BREEAM?

BREEAM is an internationally recognised measure of a building's sustainability. Some 590,266 buildings have been BREEAM certified, with a further 2,217,000 registered for certification³.

What types of buildings can be rated under BREEAM?

BREEAM can rate various building types, including offices, retail centres, industrial facilities, schools, healthcare facilities, and residential buildings.

In what countries is BREEAM used?

BREEAM is used in over 80 countries, including the United Kingdom, the United States, Australia, China, and Singapore. BREEAM is the predominant assessment method in Europe, with a has a vast market share of 80%⁴.

How does BREEAM differ from LEED?

BREEAM and LEED are two leading green building certification systems, each possessing distinctive qualities and procedures. Regionally, BREEAM is well-established in Europe, while LEED, primarily adopted in North America, enjoys international recognition.

The certification process also differs between them. BREEAM employs licensed assessors who scrutinise the building's alignment with the credit criteria, reporting their findings to BREEAM’s parent company, BRE, for further assessment. On the other hand, the process with LEED involves the building design team gathering and submitting evidence to the USGBC, which upon meeting their demands, grants the certification.

Moreover, the certification levels vary between the two. BREEAM's scale ranges from 'Pass' to 'Outstanding', whereas LEED identifies projects as Certified, Silver, Gold, or Platinum. Lastly, the scoring systems differ. BREEAM employs a weighted system, assigning different sustainability issues varying degrees of importance. In contrast, LEED operates on a point-based system, requiring projects to reach a specific point threshold to earn certification.

For more information on LEED certification, check out our blog: “The LEED Rating System Explained.”

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For more information, head to ​BREEAM.

‍Here at CIM, we're actively helping the world's built environment to achieve net zero emissions and accelerate progress toward ambitious targets. Learn how we can help improve your BREEAM rating by watching a demo session of our innovation PEAK Platform here.