It has become widely recognised that the construction, maintenance, and use of buildings and structures worldwide all require the extraction and use of our limited natural resources, which in turn is releasing harmful CO2 emissions into the atmosphere and significantly contributing to climate change. One concerning point relating to this is that with rising populations and economic development, this huge carbon footprint of the built environment is expected to increase.
In order to help reduce this carbon footprint of the built environment, the Building Research Establishment (BRE) introduced an environmental assessment method known as BREEAM, which, ultimately, aims to reduce CO2 emissions and minimise the adverse effects of buildings on the global and local environment.
BREEAM (Building Research Establishment Environmental Assessment Method) is an environmental assessment tool that is used to assess the overall environmental performance of new and existing buildings. BREEAM addresses wide-ranging environmental and sustainability issues and enables developers and designers to prove the environmental credentials of their buildings to planners and clients [1]. This article will take a closer look at how BREEAM works, as well as taking into consideration the benefits of using BREEAM.
How does BREEAM Work?
BREEAM assesses the overall environmental performance of a building by taking into consideration:
- Management – overall management policies, building commissioning and procedural issues.
- Energy Use – operational energy use and CO2 issues.
- Health and Wellbeing – internal and external issues that impact upon the health and wellbeing of the people occupying the building.
- Transport – CO2 emissions relating to transport; how does the location facilitate site access?
- Water – the efficient use of water.
- Materials – the environmental implications of materials used in construction, including life-cycle impacts.
- Waste – the sustainable management of waste generated during the construction, maintenance and use of buildings.
- Land Use – the use of green and brownfield sites.
- Pollution – the reduction of, and/or elimination of pollution to air and water.
BREEAM credit points are awarded to a building based on how well the building performs in each of the areas listed above. The overall weighted credit point score is then used to produce a BREEAM rating for the building which range from ‘pass’ to ‘outstanding’. To obtain a particular rating a series of mandatory minimum standards must be achieved. Once the minimum prescribed standards are met, the development can pick and choose between additional credit points to achieve a desired code rating [2].
The Benefits of BREEAM
BREEAM can provide a range of benefits for everyone involved with buildings, including clients, developers, and designers. BREEAM can provide:
- Market recognition for low environmental impact buildings
- Assurance that best environmental practice is incorporated into a building
- Inspiration to find innovative solutions that minimise the environmental impact
- A benchmark that is higher than regulation
- A tool to help reduce running costs, improve working and living environments
- A standard that demonstrates progress towards corporate and organisational environmental objectives [3].
BREEAM can also:
- Reduce the overall carbon footprint of the built environment.
- Contribute to the overall goals of sustainable development in the built environment.
- Create better work places, homes and leisure facilities.
- Increase the marketability of a development.
- Reduce research and design time for designers, potentially saving them money.
- Support a corporate environmental strategy.
Useful Links:
http://www.breeam.org/page.jsp?id=23
References:
[1] http://www.bre.co.uk/page.jsp?id=829
