BREEAM

BRE’s Environmental Assessment Method (BREEAM) New Construction is a standardised environmental assessment method and certification rating system used for new non-domestic buildings or major refurbishments, which forms part of the suite of BREEAM schemes that are used across the building life cycle. It is recognised internationally and is applied in more than 80 countries, including the UK, with the principal aims of mitigating the life-cycle impact of buildings on the environment and providing a credible environmental label for the sector.

After introducing the key issues, the section addresses aspects of the assessment process and the costs of BREEAM. The final focus is on maximising the benefits of BREEAM through effective management of the overall process.

This section is maintained by Jane Wakiwaka of REM Limited.

isurv section: Environmental and sustainability valuation

RICS journal article: Accrediting sustainable library design

RICS journal article: New BREEAM to inform carbon-related decisions

RICS journal article: Repurposing commercial stock to cut carbon

RICS standard: Whole life carbon assessment for the built environment