Everything You Need To Know About BREEAM
Key Takeaways:
The certification process involves an on-site assessment where the building’s performance is evaluated against a set of criteria.
Certification demonstrates a commitment to sustainability and environmental responsibility as well as improved marketability, reduced operating costs, increased asset value, and better occupant satisfaction.
BREEAM is a benchmarking and certification program designed to evaluate the sustainability performance of existing commercial and residential buildings in the United States. The program was introduced by BRE America, a subsidiary of the Building Research Establishment Group (BRE Group), in collaboration with the US Green Building Council (USGBC). Aiming to provide building owners and managers with a comprehensive and independent assessment of their building's sustainability performance, the program helps identify areas of improvement and recommends strategies for achieving higher sustainability standards.
The program covers the following sustainability categories: energy, water, waste, pollution, resources, health & well-being, land use & ecology, resilience, and management. A separate BREEAM certification exists for new construction projects, adding a 10th category: innovation.
Overview
The certification process involves an on-site assessment by a qualified BREEAM Assessor who evaluates the building's performance against a set of criteria. The assessment takes into account the building's age, size, and usage, and uses a scoring system to rate its sustainability performance. Certifications range from 1 star, the lowest, to a high of 6 stars. The certification is valid for three years and requires a re-assessment to maintain it.
Performance measurement costs $1,200 per building. The price of site assessments is set by the assessor. If the building is certified, $1,500 is required for an asset performance certification and $1,500 for management performance certification.
Benefits
BREEAM certification offers a range of benefits to building owners and managers, including improved marketability, reduced operating costs, increased asset value, and better occupant satisfaction. It also helps to demonstrate a commitment to sustainability and environmental responsibility, which is becoming increasingly important in today's market.
Evaluation Framework
The BREEAM USA In-Use V6 Technical Standard is a comprehensive guide to sustainability certification for existing commercial and residential buildings in the United States. Each of the nine categories is assessed in two parts: asset performance and management performance, evaluating a wide range of metrics and context for each category. For a full list of weighting in each category, visit BREEAM’s website.
Process
First, register your asset via the BREEAM In-Use online platform. Next, benchmark your asset using BREEAM’s detailed process to receive an instantaneous unverified score. Certification is achieved by hiring a licensed BREEAM assessor to verify the benchmarked performance. Once verified, certifications are purchased.
Since its inception, BREEAM has become a global sustainability certification in over 2.2 million buildings worldwide. It is recognized as a leading sustainability certification program and is used by governments, corporations, and building owners around the world.
