Green Certification: A Guide

Summary

This article provides a step-by-step guide for achieving BREEAM certification, emphasizing actionable steps and offering insights into maximizing your rating. It also explores the complexities of green building certifications and addresses concerns about greenwashing. By following this guide, developers can navigate the certification process effectively and contribute to a more sustainable built environment.

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** Main Story**

Okay, let’s talk BREEAM. The construction industry is really waking up to the need for environmental responsibility, and that’s a good thing, right? Green building certifications like BREEAM have become essential for evaluating and improving how sustainable our building projects are. But I get it, the whole process can seem overwhelming, and sometimes people even wonder if these certifications are really worth it. I mean, are they just for show? So, I wanted to put together a straightforward guide to help you navigate BREEAM certification, address some common worries, and hopefully, help you get the best possible BREEAM rating.

What Exactly Is BREEAM?

BREEAM, or Building Research Establishment Environmental Assessment Method, it’s basically a globally recognized system for figuring out how sustainable master planning projects, infrastructure, and buildings are. It looks at all sorts of things, like how energy-efficient a building is, how much water it uses, what materials it’s made of, and how waste is handled during construction and operation. And it’s not just about doing good for the planet. Getting BREEAM certification shows that you’re serious about sustainability, it can make your building more attractive to buyers or renters, and it can even save you money on operating costs in the long run.

Your Step-by-Step BREEAM Guide

Ready to dive in? Here’s a breakdown of the BREEAM certification process:

1. Nail Down Your Project’s Scope: First, you’ve got to clearly define what your project involves, including the type of building, how big it is, and what it’s going to be used for. This will determine which specific BREEAM scheme and criteria apply. For example, an office block will have different criteria than a shopping centre.

2. Get a BREEAM Assessor Onboard – Early!: Seriously, this is key. Hiring a licensed assessor early in the process is super important. They’ll give you expert advice throughout the whole certification journey. They’ll make sure you’re meeting the BREEAM requirements, and help you maximize your score. Plus, they’ll know all the specific rules for your particular type of building. Trust me, it’s worth the investment.

3. Craft a Killer Sustainability Strategy: Now, work with your project team and that assessor you hired to create a detailed sustainability strategy. This strategy should spell out all the specific actions, technologies, and design elements you’ll use to meet BREEAM requirements. Think energy-efficient systems, water-saving plumbing, sustainable materials – you know, the works. Also, think about strategies for making the building a healthy and pleasant place for people to be.

4. BREEAM From the Ground Up: This isn’t something to tack on later! Incorporate BREEAM requirements right from the very beginning of the design process. By doing that, sustainability becomes a core part of the building’s design. This will optimize how well the building performs environmentally from the start. Make sure you regularly check in with your BREEAM assessor and tweak the design as needed to get the most credits possible.

5. Sustainability in Action During Construction: Okay, you’ve got the design sorted, but the construction team needs to be on board too. Make sure they understand and follow all the sustainability measures you’ve outlined. Regular site inspections and meetings can help make sure everyone’s sticking to the plan and catch any problems early on. Plus, keep really good records of everything that happens during construction.

6. Track and Document: Throughout the design, construction, and even the operational phases, you need to be constantly monitoring and documenting how the building is performing against those BREEAM criteria. This data will give you valuable insights for making improvements down the road, and it shows that you’re really committed to ongoing environmental responsibility. I recall one project where we thought we were exceeding targets for energy efficiency, but the monitoring revealed a faulty sensor. We corrected that and prevented much higher costs.

7. Submit and Certify: Once the project’s done and you’ve got all the paperwork together, your assessor will send the assessment to BREEAM for review. If everything checks out, your building will get its BREEAM certification and rating.

Level Up: Maximizing That BREEAM Rating

Look, any BREEAM certification is a win, but shooting for a higher rating gives you even more benefits. So, here’s how to boost your score:

• Energy Efficiency, Energy Efficiency, Energy Efficiency: Focus on energy-efficient building systems, renewable energy sources (solar panels, anyone?), and strategies to use less energy when the building is up and running.

• Water-Wise is the Way to Go: Install water-efficient fixtures, think about rainwater harvesting, and use landscaping techniques that minimize water waste.

• Sustainable Materials, Please: Choose materials that are good for the environment, made from recycled stuff, and sourced responsibly. Look for those certifications!

• Happy Occupants, Healthy Building: Design for plenty of natural light, good ventilation, and comfortable temperatures to keep people healthy and productive. And don’t forget access to things that promote physical and mental well-being, like green spaces or fitness facilities.

• Be Innovative: Don’t be afraid to think outside the box! Come up with new solutions that go above and beyond what’s normally done. This could be anything from using cutting-edge technology to coming up with clever design ideas to improve sustainability.

Cutting Through the “Greenwashing”

Because so many companies now want to be seen as environmentally conscious, it raises worries about “greenwashing”. This is where companies exaggerate or make misleading claims about environmental benefits. To protect the legitimacy of your BREEAM certification:

• Full Transparency: Be upfront about your sustainability efforts and what you’ve done to get BREEAM certification.

• Verification is Key: Make sure everything you claim can be backed up with documents and verified by a third party.

• Focus on Real Results: More than just getting a certificate, focus on how the building actually performs in terms of sustainability. It’s about walking the walk, not just talking the talk.

So, there you have it. By following this guide, developers, architects, and contractors, you can tackle the complexities of BREEAM certification, get the best possible rating, and actually make a real contribution to a more sustainable built environment. Just remember, BREEAM isn’t just a checklist, it’s a guide to creating buildings that are good for the planet and good for business. And hey, keep in mind that as of today, April 5th, 2025, this info is current, but rules and best practices can change, so stay up-to-date on the latest BREEAM standards. Got it?