BREEAM

BREEAM (Building Research Establishment Environmental Assessment Method) is a sustainability assessment method and certification scheme for buildings and masterplans. Developed in the United Kingdom by the Building Research Establishment, it provides a framework for evaluating the environmental performance of new and existing built environments across their life cycle.

BREEAM assesses projects using credits earned across categories: energy, water, materials, transport, waste, land use and ecology, pollution, health and wellbeing, and management. Each category carries points; to achieve a rating, a project must reach a minimum overall score and meet certain requirements. Ratings range from Pass to Outstanding, with intermediate levels Good, Very Good, and Excellent.

Assessment involves pre-assessment, design stage assessment, and post-construction verification; certification is awarded by BRE Global after independent verification.

The scheme has multiple sectors and schemes: BREEAM New Construction, BREEAM Refurbishment and Fit-Out, BREEAM In-Use, BREEAM Communities, and specialized versions for homes (BREEAM Domestic) and other project types. It is used internationally, with national or regional adaptations in several countries, while maintaining a common core framework.

Impact and reception: BREEAM is widely used as a benchmark and market signal for sustainability performance in the built environment. It influences design decisions, energy targets, and procurement practices, and serves as a tool for developers, occupiers, and regulators. Criticisms commonly focus on complexity, cost, and uneven precision in auditing across different project types and geographies.