A key component of our understanding of sustainability is the certification of many our fund properties. This involves assessing the sustainability of our properties throughout their entire life cycle and optimising it using environmentally friendly technologies, always with a view to economic efficiency.
Sustainability certificates offer the opportunity to measure and compare compliance with sustainability criteria. This is done using nationally established and internationally recognised certification systems. At a time when the sustainable use of resources, the avoidance of CO2 emissions and health and well-being are more important than ever, certification systems offer a way of improving and verifying the sustainability quality of buildings through certification.
Based on the three important pillars of sustainability - ecology, economy and social aspects - various certification systems with a range of assessment criteria for sustainable buildings have been developed to optimise projects specifically during the planning and construction stages as well as during ongoing operation
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The topics covered by all common certifications include materials and resources, energy and water, indoor environmental quality and sustainable site design, and resilience, to name just the most important ones. While there are many similarities in terms of topics, local conditions and market differences are also considered.
BREEAM stands for Building Research Establishment Environmental Assessment Method. This certification system was developed in 1990 in the United Kingdom (UK) by BRE Global Limited (UK 1990). Established in 1921, BRE is an independent research and certification organisation under the BRE Trust and accredited to UKAS, which launched the first certification schemes in 1990.
Since its launch, more than 2.94 million buildings have been registered and over 1.025 million certified. BREEAM is currently present in over 100 countries. BRE Global Limited is the BREEAM scheme provider for buildings in the UK and internationally and is primarily responsible for the development of the BREEAM scheme variants. There are also country representatives, the so-called "National Scheme Operators" (NSOs). The NSOs have an exclusive licence from BRE Global to develop BREEAM system variants adapted for the respective country. This involves adapting the content of existing BREEAM system variants to local standards, considering standardisation, legislation and building culture and ensuring comparability with the international BREEAM standard. There are currently five European NSOs. Since October 2016, TÜV SÜD Industrie Service GmbH in Frankfurt am Main has been the exclusive licence partner of BRE Global and therefore the sole standard setter for BREEAM systems in Germany, Austria and Switzerland. There are further country representatives in the Netherlands, Sweden, Norway and Spain.
Depending on the desired certification level, there are various minimum requirements that must be met for certification. In general, new build and refurbishment projects, existing buildings, urban neighbourhoods and infrastructure projects can be certified. There is a separate "Home Quality Mark" system for residential buildings.
The assessment is based on achievable levels of fulfilment, which are awarded stars. Depending on the degree of fulfilment achieved, properties are awarded from 1 star to 5 stars for new builds and modernisation and from 1 star to 6 stars for existing buildings.
BREEAM rating for existing buildings
BREEAM rating for new build and modernisation
The BREEAM rating system for new buildings contains nine main categories and the additional category "Innovations". In accordance with the "Code for a Sustainable Built Environment", BREEAM considers all life cycle phases of properties.
The aim of this category is to integrate sustainable management practices into planning, construction, commissioning, handover and aftercare. An important component is the optimisation of projects based on their predicted life cycle costs.
This category assesses the comfort, health and safety of building users.
The energy criteria are intended to promote energy-efficient building solutions, systems and appliances, as well as a reduction in CO2 emissions, particularly by using renewable energies.
The criteria in this category assess the location and infrastructure of the site, e.g. based on proximity to public transport and local amenities. The implementation of environmentally friendly transport solutions is also promoted.
The aim of this category is to reduce the consumption of drinking water by ensuring that indoor and outdoor facilities are as water-efficient as possible and by using rainwater or grey water.
The criteria in the Materials category promote the reduction of negative environmental impacts of the building materials and other materials used. A life cycle assessment is used to measure the environmental impacts over the life cycle of the respective building, from planning and construction to maintenance during building operation.
This category assesses sustainable waste management during the construction and operational phases.
The objectives of this category are the promotion of sustainable land use, the protection of habitats and the improvement of biodiversity at the site.
This category is concerned with the prevention and reduction of emissions to air, water and soil.
In this category, special commitment and innovative measures are rewarded.
For the assessment of existing buildings, the current system version v6 introduced the additional categories of resources and resilience to promote the circular economy and adaptation to climate change.
The further development of the BREEAM system variants addresses issues such as a binding climate protection roadmap, the further promotion of the circular economy and resilience as well as greater compatibility with standards recognised throughout Europe, including the EU taxonomy.
BREEAM is a registered trade mark of BRE (Building Research Establishment Ltd. European Trade Mark No. 5778551). The BREEAM trade marks, logos and seals are copyright of BRE and are distributed only with permission. The BREEAM Trade Marks are used under licence.
