Changes to the world’s leading system for assessing sustainability in the built environment aim to raise the bar even further. Mott MacDonald’s Selin Demirci takes a look at the changes brought in by BREEAM V7.
Sustainability performance of new infrastructure and buildings matters more now than ever before, and not just in terms of minimising environmental impact – it now affects financing, asset value and future revenues too.
As a result, the industry’s assessment tool – the Building Research Establishment Environmental Assessment Method (BREEAM) – has evolved with a new version being introduced on 30 September.
The aim of BREEAM when it was first launched in 1990 was to create sustainability awareness, mitigate the impact of construction projects on the environment, and drive continuous improvement.
Thirty-five years on, the BREEAM V7 update fully embodies that ethos by responding to growing climate challenges, tighter regulations and real estate investors’ demand for greater transparency, as well as scientific advancements. The changes also reflect real-world experience of the application of previous iterations of the certification.
Why BREEAM matters
BREEAM provides a set of criteria for best practice in sustainable design and provides a credible sustainability label for buildings, which, for many developers, has become critical to achieving the highest rental values for properties.
“Compared to BREEAM V6.1, it is expected that there will be an average score reduction of around 5% for an equivalent building in BREEAM V7.”
However, for many projects, it is not a nice-to-have but critical to achieving planning approval and funding, with it being mandated for the majority of publicly funded projects in the UK.
In certain areas – particularly in London – BREEAM certification may be required by local authorities for developments above certain floor areas, and some funding bodies also require it as a condition of their involvement in a project.
This increasing focus on gaining a BREEAM certificate means that the appointment of a BREEAM assessor is now vital for many projects ahead of the strategic planning and conceptualisation. The changes brought in by BREEAM V7 make it even more important to ensure new buildings meet the higher bar that is now set on sustainability.
What’s new in BREEAM V7?
The emphasis of the BREEAM V7 update is on the alignment with industry targets on operational, embodied, refrigerant and transportation emission reductions.
There are now more minimum requirements – and they are stricter too. Net-zero targets are also more streamlined, with a strong focus on whole-life carbon assessments, EU Taxonomy alignment and energy performance, which will require advanced solutions, extensive documentation, earlier engagement and greater design collaboration.
These changes will undoubtedly increase costs for developers and need to be factored in at the outset of new projects.
Not taking account of the changes could also have consequences for the final score a building achieves. Compared to BREEAM V6.1, it is expected that there will be an average score reduction of around 5% for an equivalent building in BREEAM V7. Early adoption of the new version will be essential to manage expectations and discussions around project targets, budget and timelines.
Nine key changes in BREEAM V7
Here are nine key changes that BREEAM V7 brings and what they mean for design teams and asset owners.
- Rating reductions. The rating boundaries are adjusted to have consistent gaps between them, which brings the score to achieve Pass and Good down by 5%. Other rating scores remain unchanged; however, for fully fitted projects, the weightings for health and wellbeing, energy, materials, water and waste have increased, while those for transport and land use have been reduced.
- Reduced need for bespoke certification. Bespoke assessment allows buildings that don’t fall into a standard category, such as offices or healthcare buildings, to still be assessed and certified against BREEAM. This requires further sustainability strategy planning and management. For any building types outside of the standards, the bespoke process is required. This has been improved under BREEAM V7, so bespoke certification is no longer needed unless a building includes more than five asset types or uses.
- Prediction of operational energy. Buildings must now define an energy strategy during the concept design stage, with separate credits for energy strategy, predictive energy modelling and risk assessment and mitigation provided. There are additional credits for benchmark comparisons and third-party verification of the energy model. The operational energy is central to expectations for the building performance and will require additional time investment and enhanced coordination.
- Circadian rhythm comes into play. There is a new focus on the benefit of light supporting a healthy circadian rhythm, which is the body’s 24-hour cycle that controls sleep and wellbeing and is affected by how much light we are exposed to. This change demonstrates BREEAM V7’s increased focus on occupant wellbeing and is expected to be a popular credit for healthcare and office projects.
- Indoor air quality. Indoor air quality plans used to be a prerequisite for indoor air quality credits, but is now worth one credit and is a mandatory requirement for a Very Good rating and above. This will require design teams to be proactive on indoor air quality considerations with details of the risks, solutions and air quality maintenance needs reported to achieve the credit, along with demonstration of how these details informed the project design and specifications.
- Whole-life carbon assessments. Life cycle assessment (LCA) is thoroughly revised in BREEAM V7 and is now a mandatory requirement for Excellent and Outstanding ratings. If Outstanding is targeted, LCA must be undertaken in the early design stage, technical design stage and post-construction as a minimum.
- EU Taxonomy. One of the most critical changes centres on the EU Taxonomy, which is a regulatory requirement for European investors and financial institutions. BREEAM V7 is designed to align with the EU Taxonomy, showing the corresponding technical screening criteria, providing an asset-level EU Taxonomy report. With the other updates, this will streamline the ESG reporting process without the need for adjustments.
- Biodiversity net gain. Benchmarks in BREEAM V7 have been updated to align with biodiversity net gain legislation in England, and developers will need to go above and beyond that legal requirement to gain further credits. However, for small developments, provisions have been made to create more flexibility.
- Low-carbon technologies. Projects looking to achieve an Outstanding rating will not be able to include any fossil fuel combustion onsite. Moreover, heat pumps are no longer eligible for the low- and zero-carbon technology credit because they are now considered to be established technology. To achieve the credit, design teams will now need to consider various other low-carbon solutions for the development.
Mindset shift
BREEAM V7 is more than just an update, it is a shift in mindset. This version is pushing projects to move beyond intent and prove real-world performance. It brings construction closer to key policy drivers, while focusing on human-centric design.
For developers, clients and design teams, it creates a level playing field and a shared language of performance, and for end-users and investors, it strengthens the trust.
The challenge now is to put it into action and deliver a real difference for the environment.
Selin Demirci is a sustainability consultant at Mott MacDonald.
