BREEAM – Building Research Establishment Environmental Assessment Method – is the world-leading means of assessing and certifying the sustainability of buildings. Launched in 1990 by the Building Research Establishment (BRE), it sets standards for the environmental performance of commercial and multi-residential buildings according to three main categories:

• New build development
  
  
• Refurbishment projects
  
  
• In-use buildings

Independent BREEAM assessors use tailored methodologies for each of those categories to evaluate the impact a building has over its life cycle, from procurement to design of new development projects, the improved performance of existing buildings, through to the refurbishment or retrofitting of older buildings.

It is a certification system which is the industry benchmark for rating the quality and sustainable credentials of a building, which in turn has tangible impacts on the long-term value of an asset. As a result, BREEAM accreditation is now commonplace in commercial real estate.

BREEAM certification uses science-based targets established through independent research by a range of experts and consultants. Those targets focus on a sustainable value across 12 separate categories, namely:

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

Each category focuses on the most influential factors, including reduced carbon emissions, low impact design, adaption to climate change, ecological value and biodiversity protection.

Independent assessors award credits or points to a building in two stages (design stage and post-construction stage) according to the criteria within those categories and conclude with an overall score within the BREEAM ratings. In that way, the sustainability of individual buildings can reliably be compared with other BREEAM-rated buildings using a consistent standard, which provides coherency across a market increasingly striving for sustainable development.

Ratings range from Outstanding, Excellent, Very Good to Good, Pass and Acceptable – as a guide, less than 1 per cent of new, non-domestic UK buildings are able to achieve an ‘Outstanding’ rating. 

There are many benefits associated with achieving BREEAM status. The focus on sustainable value and efficiency makes BREEAM-certified buildings attractive investments and generates sustainable environments which enhance the wellbeing of the people who live and work in them.

Across the UK, approximately 70 per cent of local authorities have adopted policies which require or encourage BREEAM certification for new development and all public buildings are required to achieve a minimum of BREEAM ‘Excellent’ rating.  

Buildings certified with BREEAM are increasing in demand due to their cost-effective operation and are seen as a strong contender across a portfolio of properties. Today, there are over half a million BREEAM-certified buildings across 70 countries worldwide, with a further two million projects registered for assessment.

Further information

Contact Francesca Opoku-Gyamfi or Brad Wiseman

Savills Planning

• The Savills Sustainability Team offers BREEAM assessments. For more information about BREEAM and to enquire about carrying out BREEAM assessments for your building, please contact our BREEAM licensed Assessor, Lucy Carnaby-Hayes