Over recent years there has been a paradigm shift in how the full impact that a building can have on the environment is viewed. Design teams no longer work in isolation from asset operators, and the industry is quickly moving towards a whole life performance (WLP) approach. Asset lifetimes can span 60 years or more, and as such the built environment is taking a longer lifetime view in its decision making.
The BREEAM technical standards have been created with this in mind. Our approach is to constantly drive the best whole-life decisions through certification to our standards. BREEAM provides the tools and frameworks to empower asset investors, developers, owners and operators to make these informed decisions for the lifespan of their asset, and measure and report on these outcomes.
BREEAM supports whole life performance by:
- Facilitating a complete circular journey for built assets throughout the entire built environment lifecycle.
- Providing a holistic approach to sustainability assessment across environmental, social and economic impacts.
- Providing a scientific framework to balance various goals and targets.
- Helping you to identify performance gaps between design intent and operational performance to support continuous improvement in real estate performance.
To find out more about how BREEAM supports solutions in whole life performance, please call us on+443333218811or fill out our form, and one of our experts will be in touch.
Whole life performance in context
Whole life performance (WLP) is now a very important focus area for built asset professionals working in the real estate space. It has become very clear that decisions made at the design and construction phases of a building can have far-reaching impacts on the building’s overall lifetime from resource consumption, occupant health, asset resilience and resultant emissions.
By placing consideration of WLP and whole life costs at the core of decision making, the built environment can create better performing assets with a longer lifespan. Evidencing WLP is also becoming a key consideration for green financing options, giving lenders more confidence in their investments.
Whole life performance in BREEAM
Assets can assess and certify to BREEAM throughout their lifespan, from new construction to operation to refurbishment. The assessment process and end third-party certification provides assured performance and identifies continuous opportunities for improvement. The BREEAM schemes include sustainability assessment methods for:
Newly developed commercial and residential assets with BREEAM New Construction.
Operational commercial and
residential assets with
BREEAM In-Use.
Refurbishment and retrofit for existing assets with BREEAM Refurbishment and Fit-Out.
Masterplanning and communities with BREEAM Communities.
Infrastructure with BREEAM Infrastructure (formerly CEEQUAL)
New homes in the UK with the Home Quality Mark (HQM)
Each BREEAM scheme is rooted in science with a holistic approach to sustainability, so the criteria and outcomes are carefully balanced to drive performance across environment, social and economic impacts. The schemes are tailored to suit different scope of works, opportunities, challenges and KPIs relevant to that lifecycle stage.
Train with BREEAM
Train with us to provide built environment sustainability solutions and learn how to support projects in achieving their net zero goals.
Our BREEAM training courses teach you how to use the world’s leading green building tool to achieve sustainability success. Millions of assets all over the world are registered with BREEAM and starting their journey to sustainability success.
BREEAM Case studies
Browse the latest case studies from BREEAM
Aligning ESG goals: LXP’s collaborative approach to Green Building Standards
Using BREEAM across an asset’s lifecycle: Hermes Business Campus
World’s largest real estate certification powered by BREEAM In-Use for Dutch investors Vesteda
Natural cosmetics company APIVITA awarded with BREEAM In-Use ‘Excellent’ rating for Athens headquarters ‘The Hive’
BNP Paribas Real Estate and Generali Real Estate achieve target of BREEAM In-Use V6 Excellent rating
China Basin – Achieving BREEAM Very Good rating on a waterfront Tech & Life Sciences Campus in San Francisco
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