BREEAM Certification: 7-Step Guide

Embarking on the journey to BREEAM certification, what an inspiring move, it truly showcases a deep commitment to environmental stewardship and operational excellence. You’re not just building or managing a structure; you’re cultivating a sustainable future, and that’s something genuinely commendable. BREEAM, which stands for the Building Research Establishment Environmental Assessment Method, isn’t merely a checklist; it’s the world’s foremost sustainability assessment method for buildings. It meticulously evaluates a building’s environmental, social, and economic performance, covering everything from its conception through to its ongoing operation. With over half a million buildings proudly displaying their BREEAM credentials across the globe, it clearly offers a remarkably structured and incredibly robust pathway to significantly enhance your building’s sustainability profile, which is a big win for everyone involved. Think of it as a stamp of approval, a gold standard telling the world, ‘We’re doing things right here.’

Discover how Focus360 Energy can help with BREEAM certification.

Why BREEAM Matters Beyond the Basics

Before we dive into the nitty-gritty steps, let’s quickly underscore why BREEAM isn’t just a nice-to-have, it’s increasingly becoming a critical differentiator in today’s market. Beyond the feel-good factor of being green, BREEAM certification brings tangible, bottom-line benefits. We’re talking about enhanced asset value, attracting discerning tenants who prioritize sustainable workplaces, and often, significant operational cost savings through reduced energy and water consumption. Plus, it substantially bolsters your corporate social responsibility (CSR) standing, and helps future-proof your building against evolving regulatory landscapes. For me, seeing a building proudly displaying its ‘Excellent’ or ‘Outstanding’ BREEAM plaque really tells a story about foresight and a commitment to quality, a narrative that resonates deeply with investors and occupiers alike.

Now, let’s get into the practical side of things, because a journey of a thousand miles, or in this case, a successful BREEAM certification, starts with these fundamental steps.

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Step 1: Selecting the Appropriate BREEAM Standard – A Crucial First Choice

The initial, and arguably most foundational, decision you’ll make on your BREEAM journey is selecting the correct standard for your project. This isn’t a one-size-fits-all situation; BREEAM offers a suite of standards tailored to different building types and project lifecycles. Get this right, and you’re off to a strong start. Get it wrong, and well, you could face some unnecessary hurdles.

Let’s break down the most common ones:

• BREEAM New Construction: This standard is your go-to if you’re planning a brand-new build or undertaking a major refurbishment project. It’s designed to assess the sustainability performance of buildings through the design and construction phases. Imagine you’re developing a gleaming new office block in the city center, or giving an old industrial unit a complete facelift, tearing out the insides and rebuilding from the shell; this is your standard. It encourages the integration of sustainability principles from the earliest design stages, which is incredibly powerful because it’s far easier and cheaper to embed green solutions at the blueprint stage than to retrofit them later. We’re talking about things like passive design strategies, material selection, and efficient HVAC systems being considered right from the drawing board, ensuring optimal performance long after the ribbon-cutting ceremony.

• BREEAM In-Use: Tailored specifically for existing buildings, this standard focuses on improving and certifying their operational sustainability performance. It’s fantastic for building owners and managers looking to enhance the environmental credentials of their current assets. What I really appreciate about ‘In-Use’ is its holistic approach. It’s typically divided into three parts: Asset Performance (the inherent environmental performance of the building’s fabric and fixed services), Building Management (the operational policies and practices in place), and Occupant Lifestyles (how users interact with the building and its services). For instance, if you’re overseeing an established office building, perhaps a busy multi-tenant commercial space, and you want to reduce its carbon footprint, improve occupant wellbeing, and signal your commitment to sustainability to potential new tenants, then the ‘In-Use’ standard provides a clear, actionable roadmap to achieve those very goals. It helps you continually monitor and improve performance, which is a long-term game changer.

Now, while these are the big two, BREEAM also has standards like BREEAM Communities (for large-scale developments), BREEAM Infrastructure (for civil engineering projects), and even specific country adaptations. However, for most building projects, you’ll likely be choosing between New Construction and In-Use. Think about your project’s lifecycle, its current state, and your ultimate goals. Are you designing from scratch or optimizing what’s already there? That simple question often gives you your answer.

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Step 2: Conducting a Preliminary Assessment – Your Sustainability Health Check

Before you dive headfirst into the detailed requirements of BREEAM, it makes absolute sense to perform a preliminary assessment. Consider this your building’s sustainability health check, a diagnostic scan if you will. It’s an opportunity to get a rough lay of the land, understanding your current performance levels, identifying potential strengths, and, crucially, flagging areas that might need significant improvement.

Many regions offer free online ‘Quick Scans’ or pre-assessment tools, which are excellent starting points. For example, my colleagues in the Netherlands often point to the Dutch Green Building Council’s online Quick Scan, while for our Belgian office projects, the Pre-Assessment Tool available on the international BREEAM In-Use site is a really useful resource. These tools typically ask a series of high-level questions about your building’s energy consumption, water usage, waste management practices, transport links, and existing policies.

But a preliminary assessment can and should go deeper than just an online questionnaire. I’d strongly recommend a physical walk-through of the building, coupled with a review of existing documentation like utility bills, maintenance logs, and any environmental policies already in place. It’s during these initial investigations that you often uncover the ‘low-hanging fruit’ – those relatively easy-to-implement changes that can earn you valuable credits without breaking the bank. Perhaps your current lighting system is woefully inefficient, or your waste segregation process is, let’s just say, a bit chaotic. Identifying these early on allows you to start strategizing and even budgeting for improvements, and trust me, having that foresight saves a lot of headaches later on. It also helps in setting more realistic certification goals, giving you a clearer picture of the effort required.

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Step 3: Engaging a BREEAM Consultant – Your Navigator Through the Maze

Look, BREEAM is comprehensive, rigorous, and frankly, a bit complex. While you could theoretically try to navigate it solo, engaging a BREEAM Accredited Professional (AP) or a seasoned consultant is, in my opinion, non-negotiable for a smooth and successful certification journey. Think of them as your expert navigator, guiding you through a dense forest, pointing out the quickest paths, and helping you avoid potential pitfalls.

So, what exactly does a BREEAM consultant bring to the table? Well, a lot! They possess in-depth knowledge of the BREEAM methodologies, criteria, and assessment processes. They’re adept at interpreting those often-dense technical manuals, helping you understand precisely what evidence is required for each credit. They’ll assist in identifying the most cost-effective opportunities for improvement, perform crucial calculations, and translate complex technical jargon into actionable advice. Furthermore, they play a pivotal role in preparing your certification dossier, ensuring every piece of evidence is correctly compiled and presented to maximize your chances of achieving those coveted credits. They also evaluate the financial aspects, often identifying potential grants, incentives, or calculating the return on investment (ROI) for specific sustainability measures. Their insight can be invaluable when pitching improvements to stakeholders.

Choosing the right consultant is paramount. Don’t just pick the first name you find. Look for someone with a strong track record, relevant sector-specific experience (e.g., if you’re doing a hospital, find a consultant who’s worked on healthcare projects), and excellent communication skills. A good consultant isn’t just a technical expert; they’re also a project manager, a facilitator, and a keen communicator, someone who can seamlessly integrate with your team and keep everyone aligned towards the certification goal. Ask for references, check their portfolio, and ensure their approach aligns with your organizational culture. It’s a partnership, after all, and you want to partner with the best, don’t you?

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Step 4: Educating Your Team – Cultivating a Culture of Sustainability

While your BREEAM consultant provides the external expertise, it’s absolutely critical that your internal team understands BREEAM’s principles, requirements, and benefits. Certification isn’t just about a document; it’s about embedding sustainable practices into the very fabric of your organization and building operations. Without your team’s buy-in and active participation, even the best plans can falter.

Who should be educated? Everyone from facility managers and maintenance staff to occupants and leadership. Think about it: the security guard who turns off lights, the cleaning crew who segregates waste, the office manager who procures supplies, and the building users who adjust thermostats or cycle to work – every one of them impacts your building’s sustainability performance. For instance, many organizations, including companies like Priva, offer excellent training courses that can help your team grasp BREEAM’s intricate requirements and, perhaps more importantly, understand why certain practices are essential. This understanding often translates directly into more credits for your office, as people become proactive in identifying and implementing sustainable actions.

Beyond formal training, consider workshops, internal awareness campaigns, and regular ‘lunch and learn’ sessions. When people understand the ‘why’ behind the ‘what,’ they’re far more likely to embrace changes and contribute positively. I once worked on a project where the facilities team, after receiving some basic BREEAM training, took it upon themselves to optimize the BMS settings during off-peak hours, something they hadn’t considered before. This simple act not only saved energy but also earned us a few extra points in the ‘Management’ category, proving that an educated team is an empowered, credit-earning team. It’s about fostering a culture where sustainability isn’t just a buzzword, but an integrated part of daily operations.

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Step 5: Defining Your Certification Goals – Setting Your Sights High (But Realistically)

With your standard chosen, a preliminary assessment done, and your consultant on board, the next logical step is to clearly define the certification level you aim to achieve. BREEAM ratings range from ‘Pass,’ ‘Good,’ ‘Very Good,’ ‘Excellent,’ to ‘Outstanding.’ Each level corresponds to a percentage of total available credits achieved, and each carries a different weight in terms of market perception and actual environmental impact.

• Pass: Minimum standard, usually around 30% of credits. It demonstrates a basic level of sustainable performance.
• Good: A respectable achievement, often around 45% of credits, indicating a good practice in sustainable design and construction.
• Very Good: This is where things start to get impressive, typically 55% of credits, representing a high level of performance and often a common target for new builds.
• Excellent: Now you’re really pushing boundaries, usually 70% of credits. This rating signifies an outstanding level of environmental performance and leadership.
• Outstanding: The pinnacle of BREEAM certification, requiring 85% or more of available credits. It’s reserved for the very best, truly world-leading examples of sustainable design and operation.

Setting a clear objective, say, aiming for ‘Very Good’ or ‘Excellent,’ is crucial. Why? Because this target will inform every subsequent decision you make, from budgeting for specific technologies to prioritizing certain design features or operational practices. For example, if your existing office building currently holds two BREEAM stars (‘Good’) for its In-Use performance, you might strategically aim for that coveted third star (‘Very Good’). This means focusing on areas where you can garner enough additional points without overhauling the entire building. Maybe it’s improving waste management significantly, or implementing a robust transport plan for occupants, or upgrading certain components of your HVAC system. A good consultant will help you model these scenarios, showing you the most efficient path to your desired rating, balancing ambition with practicality. It’s not about blindly chasing ‘Outstanding’ if your budget or existing infrastructure makes it an unrealistic mountain to climb; it’s about setting an ambitious yet achievable target that aligns with your corporate sustainability goals and market aspirations.

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Step 6: Collaborating with Knowledgeable Suppliers – Building Your Eco-System

In the world of sustainable building, your supply chain isn’t just a collection of vendors; it’s an extension of your sustainability strategy. When it comes to implementing actual measures and installing new systems that will help you achieve BREEAM credits, collaborating with suppliers who are not just competent but also knowledgeable about BREEAM standards is incredibly beneficial. Honestly, it’s a non-negotiable.

Why does this matter so much? Because a supplier who understands BREEAM speaks your language. They’ll know precisely what specifications are needed for, say, a low-energy lighting system to earn those valuable ‘energy’ credits, or what documentation is required for materials to prove their sustainable sourcing. They won’t just sell you a product; they’ll offer a solution that seamlessly aligns with your sustainability ambitions. This means everything from your HVAC providers, lighting specialists, waste management contractors, landscapers, and even cleaning services. Each plays a part.

What should you look for? Seek out suppliers who can provide Environmental Product Declarations (EPDs) for their materials, demonstrate experience on previous BREEAM-certified projects, or whose products carry recognized eco-labels. They should be willing to provide the specific technical data and evidence your BREEAM consultant will need for the dossier. This proactive approach ensures that new energy and building automation installations, for instance, aren’t just efficient in theory but are demonstrably contributing to your BREEAM score. Moreover, partnering with such suppliers often translates to long-term value, favorable total cost of ownership (TCO) through reduced maintenance and optimized performance, and fewer headaches during the audit process. It’s about building an ecosystem of partners who are all rowing in the same direction towards your sustainability goals, ensuring everything works in harmony.

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Step 7: Compiling and Submitting Your Certification Dossier – The Grand Finale

Ah, the dossier! This is where all your hard work, meticulous planning, and diligent implementation culminate. Compiling the certification dossier is an exhaustive, yet incredibly rewarding, process. You’ll be working hand-in-glove with your BREEAM consultant to gather every single piece of necessary documentation that supports your claims for each and every credit you’re pursuing.

Let’s delve a bit deeper into what this entails, particularly for BREEAM In-Use, as it offers a great illustration of the complexity. As an in-house BREEAM expert once wisely advised, ‘A BREEAM In-Use dossier consists of three distinct yet interconnected domains: the building’s asset, its management, and its use. Similar questions often arise across these domains, each from a slightly different perspective. It’s best to look at these questions concurrently, so you only have to delve into the data once to formulate your answer.’ This is a golden nugget of advice, saving countless hours!

Here’s a snapshot of what kind of evidence you’ll be digging for across these domains:

• Asset Performance (Part 1): This focuses on the physical aspects of your building. Expect to gather architectural drawings, specifications for insulation, windows, and roofing materials. You’ll need detailed information on your HVAC systems, lighting installations, and renewable energy technologies. Think energy performance certificates, water flow rates for taps and toilets, sub-metering data, and material declarations for major components. Evidence here often includes design specifications, product data sheets, commissioning reports, and photographs of installed systems.

• Building Management (Part 2): This domain scrutinizes the operational policies and practices. You’ll need to demonstrate robust environmental management systems, regular maintenance schedules, waste management policies and contracts, green procurement strategies, and staff training records on sustainability topics. Evidence could include environmental policies, waste audit reports, purchasing invoices for eco-friendly products, records of tenant engagement meetings, and even pest control policies. It’s about proving that the building is being operated responsibly and with a clear sustainability focus.

• Occupant Lifestyles (Part 3): This part zeroes in on how the building’s users interact with their environment and the provisions made for their wellbeing. This might involve collecting data from occupant satisfaction surveys, records of cycling facilities and shower provision, public transport accessibility reports, health and wellbeing initiatives, and internal communications promoting sustainable behaviors. Evidence here could be user guides, transport plans, healthy eating options in canteens, and even air quality monitoring reports. It’s a very human-centric domain.

Throughout this process, you’re constantly collecting, reviewing, and organizing. Every claim for a credit needs robust, verifiable evidence. This means photographs, reports, policies, calculations, meeting minutes, emails, and sometimes even short videos. It’s an iterative process: gather data, have your consultant review it, make revisions based on their feedback, and then repeat until the dossier is comprehensive and impeccably presented. The final submission is a huge milestone, but remember, the assessor will then review everything, potentially raise queries, and then, only then, will your certificate be issued. The key here is organization, clarity, and leaving no stone unturned.

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By diligently following these well-defined steps, you can navigate the BREEAM certification process with confidence and clarity. It’s certainly not a walk in the park, there’s quite a bit of legwork involved, but believe me, the rewards are substantial. Not only will you tangibly enhance your building’s sustainability performance – reducing its environmental footprint and often saving significant operational costs – but you’ll also be demonstrating a profound, verifiable commitment to environmental responsibility. In today’s competitive landscape, that commitment isn’t just good for the planet; it’s brilliant for business, attracting top talent, discerning tenants, and forward-thinking investors. It’s about future-proofing your asset and building a legacy of genuine sustainability. So, what are you waiting for, let’s get started on that journey!