Why Should You Obtain BREEAM Accreditation for Your Building Projects?

BREEAM is the world’s longest-established method for assessing and rating the sustainability of a building. Approximately 610,000 buildings have been certified by the scheme – Bloomberg’s European Headquarters achieved the highest ever BREEAM rating of 99.1% back in 2017, with the Nova scheme only recently surpassing this with an 100% score in August 2024.

Thanks to the growing awareness of the environmental and social impacts associated with construction, more and more companies are now seeking BREEAM accreditation for their projects. As our BREEAM assessor points out, “We are running against the clock to achieve Net Zero Carbon by 2050, and having a green building certification is a must.” 

But what actually is BREEAM, and why is BREEAM important for the future of our planet? Whether you’re building a new construction or planning a refurbishment project, BREEAM has a whole host of environmental and economic benefits that greatly enhance the value of your structure. More on that below…

What is BREEAM?

BREEAM stands for Building Research Establishment Environmental Assessment Method, and was introduced by the Building Research Establishment (BRE) back in 1990. It provides a set framework for evaluating the environmental performance of buildings, which is now used in over 70 countries. From new constructions to refurbishment and fit-out, BREEAM-certified projects reflect best practices in sustainable design, construction and operation.

BREEAM assesses the entire life cycle of a building against nine key categories:

• Energy
• Health & Wellbeing
• Materials
• Management
• Waste
• Water
• Pollution
• Transport
• Land Use & Ecology

These categories are further subdivided into various classifications, each with their own objectives, targets and benchmarks. BREEAM measures the building’s overall performance against these specific criteria, with ratings ranging from Pass to Outstanding. 

If you’re wondering how to become BREEAM certified, you can read more about the assessment process in our dedicated blog post.

Why is BREEAM important?

Did you know that buildings are responsible for 40% of global greenhouse gas emissions? If the built environment doesn’t act now, these shocking statistics are set to double by 2050. 

The overall purpose of BREEAM is to measure and reduce the environmental impact associated with building projects. Looking beyond the criteria required to achieve standard building regulations, BREEAM considers the wellbeing of a building’s users throughout its entire lifespan. By choosing to assess your project via BREEAM, you can demonstrate that you have incorporated a range of all-important sustainability measures within every phase of the design and construction process.

How can BREEAM benefit your building?

As well as paving the way for the construction or refurbishment of more sustainable and environmentally friendly structures, obtaining BREEAM certification also offers a wide array of other economic and environmental benefits for everybody involved in the life cycle of that building. These include:

Environmental Benefits

• Improved energy efficiency: BREEAM-certified buildings often feature energy-efficient design, efficient heating and cooling systems, or renewable energy generation measures that can significantly reduce its overall energy consumption.
• Reduced carbon footprint: By focusing on sustainable design, eco-friendly materials, and renewable energy sources, BREEAM enables buildings to minimise the amount of harmful greenhouse gas emissions generated.
• Improved health & wellbeing: BREEAM ensures that your building enhances the health and wellbeing of its occupants by including criteria for indoor air quality, lighting, acoustics, and more.
• Risk mitigation: Planning BREEAM accredited projects is an effective way of minimising the risks associated with climate change. For example, BREEAM New Construction includes schemes such as “Designing for Durability and Resilience” and “Adaptation to Climate Change”, which encourages builders to construct more robust structures.
• Commitment to environmental responsibility: Achieving BREEAM certification allows you to showcase your commitment to preserving our natural environment, enhancing your corporate image and brand reputation.

Economic Benefits

• Cost savings: As discussed above, buildings certified under BREEAM are likely to be more energy efficient. This leads to reduced utility bills and maintenance costs, which result in significant cost savings for the occupier. 
• Increased property value: BREEAM buildings can also benefit from increased market value and attractiveness to eco-conscious investors and tenants. It is estimated that a BREEAM-certified structure adds around 8-12% more value compared to a non-certified building.
• Compliance with regulations: BREEAM accreditation has become an essential requirement when carrying out construction projects, and approximately 70% of local authorities in the UK require developers to have their projects certified under BREEAM. Complying with regulations allows you to avoid hefty fines, saving your business money in the long run.

Choose Encon Associates as your BREEAM assessor

Obtaining BREEAM certification for your development project is not necessarily an easy process; however, the value it can bring to your building makes all that hard work worthwhile. 

Here at Encon Associates, we have the knowledge and technical expertise to offer a comprehensive suite of BREEAM assessment services. From the initial stages of pre-assessment to the final BREEAM accreditation, our licensed BREEAM assessors and APs can drive your project towards environmental excellence. Contact us today to begin your journey towards achieving BREEAM accreditation.