BREEAM, developed by the Building Research Establishment (BRE) in the UK in 1990, is a comprehensive sustainability rating system for assessing the environmental performance of buildings, infrastructure, and planning projects. It evaluates across ten categories: energy, water, waste, pollution, transport, materials, health and well-being, management, land use and ecology, and innovation.
These categories are weighted based on their environmental significance, and certification requires meeting standards and earning sufficient scores in all relevant areas. BREEAM aims to promote buildings that are environmentally, socially, and economically sustainable, benefiting occupants while minimising environmental impact.
The benefits of BREEAM include compliance with local and national sustainability regulations, demonstrating commitment to sustainability, enhancing building value and marketability, reducing operating costs through improved efficiency, and improving indoor environmental quality and occupant well-being.
The BREEAM categories cover various aspects of environmental sustainability and building performance:
- Management: Evaluates processes for minimising environmental impact during construction and operation.
- Health and Wellbeing: Focuses on creating a healthy, safe, and productive environment for occupants.
- Energy: Measures energy efficiency and promotes the use of renewable energy sources to mitigate climate impact.
- Transport: Encourages reduced car use and promotes alternative transport modes.
- Water: Focuses on reducing water consumption and improving efficiency.
- Materials: Evaluates the environmental impact of building materials throughout their lifecycle.
- Waste: Encourages waste reduction and recycling during construction and operation.
- Land Use and Ecology: Aims to protect and enhance site ecology and biodiversity.
- Pollution: Addresses pollution from noise, light, air, and water to minimise environmental contamination.
- Innovation: Recognizes pioneering solutions that push sustainable building practices beyond standard criteria.
Through BREEAM, developers, designers, and building owners are encouraged to prioritise sustainability from the earliest design stages, leading to construction and operation practices that positively impact the environment and occupants alike.