BREEAM on the agenda for green and sustainable building

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by: Marry Reid
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Word Count: 426
Date: Tue, 10 Jan 2012 Time: 1:45 AM

BREEAM has become a common term in the initial construction of green and sustainable buildings, and in renovations carried out to make existing structures more eco-friendly.

But what does BREEAM stand for, and why is it important? We look at the principles behind the method, along with some of the trends that are being shaped by the uptake of initiatives like BREEAM.

What is BREEAM?

BREEAM is the Building Research Establishment Environmental Assessment Method, a means of determining how eco-friendly a building is, and of awarding a widely recognisable designation to those that perform the best across the board.

It covers almost every possible aspect of a structure - the materials used, pollution produced, health and wellbeing of occupants, energy and water consumed, and so on.

Qualifying for top-level BREEAM certification gives corporate occupants of a building the ability to demonstrate to shareholders and customers that they are committed to environmental responsibility standards not just in their operations, but also in their property assets.

BREEAM in construction

BREEAM is a concern from the outset of many modern-day construction projects, and is part of a wider trend towards green and sustainable building.

According to a report published by IBISWorld, green and sustainable building saw an annual growth rate of 26.9% between 2006 and 2011, and revenues are likely to soar further over the coming five years.

For construction firms, a focus on environmental certification is a way to capitalise on this trend, and goes beyond the environmental impact of the building itself.

IBISWorld lists other aspects of the project - such as the use of recycled materials, and the energy efficiency of the completed structure - as falling into the same overall theme of 'green and sustainable building'.

BREEAM in fixtures and fittings

BREEAM's assessment of energy used in running a building is one driving force behind the trend towards more eco-friendly heating, cooling and lighting systems.

LED lighting in particular is growing in popularity in commercial settings, as noted in a recent Pike Research report.

By 2021, the analyst expects to see LED lighting in 52% of new commercial buildings, with white LEDs - a relatively recent innovation - crucial to the growth of the technology.

Like other efficiency improvements, LED lights not only help buildings to qualify for better BREEAM ratings; they can also help occupants to save on their utility costs and improve their environmental responsibility commitments.

About the Author

BREEAM is an environmental assessment scheme aiming to improve the environmental performance of buildings and is one of the many services available from Valco.