BREEAM (Building Research Establishment Environmental Assessment Method) is an international environmental certification method used as an assessment system to classify buildings and the construction project with respect to their environmental sustainability. BREEAM certification was developed by the Building Research Establishment (BRE) in the UK and is one of the most recognised and used environmental certifications for building and construction in the world.
A BREEAM certification evaluates various aspects of a building, including energy efficiency, water consumption, material selection, waste management, indoor environmental quality, and ecological conservation. There are various BREEAM manuals depending on which building is to be certified, the manual has a comprehensive set of criteria that provides a holistic assessment of the building's environmental performance.
The BREEAM certification is divided into six different levels: Pass, Good, Very Good, Excellent and Outstanding. The higher the level, the more sustainable and environmentally friendly the building is. The certification takes into account both the design and operational phases of the building, and encourages sustainable practices at all stages of the construction process. Builds that get below 30% in scores become “unclassified” and do not achieve BREEAM certification. Of the buildings that are BREEAM-NOR certified, a building achieves the average level of Very Good.
In Norway, several BREEAM manuals are used:
Grønn Byggallianse has prepared a Norwegian version of the international BREEAM New Construction manual, called BREEAM-NOR. This manual is specifically adapted to Norwegian building practices, climate, laws and local opportunities. The local adaptation ensures that a more relevant and accurate assessment of the building's performance can be carried out. BREEAM-NOR is used for new buildings, rehabilitation projects and extensions. The project can either be certified as a whole or with separate certifications for different parts of the project. BREEAM and BREEAM-NOR share the same overall framework and principles for assessing the sustainability performance of buildings. The BREEM-NOR manual provides an overview of which points need to be documented in order to obtain a BREEAM score.
If an existing building is undergoing alterations or for other reasons does not fit within a particular building category, a bespoke set of criteria called BESPOKE can be drawn up. Grønn Byggallianse and BRE collaborate to create this customised set of criteria for the project in question.
In order to assess the project according to the BREEAM-NOR criteria, an independent auditor approved by the Green Building Alliance must be involved. It is also recommended to have a BREEAM-NOR-approved Accredited Professional (AP) to advise and ensure that the project reaches the environmental ambitions and desired BREEM classification that has been set. Certificates for BREEAM-NOR are issued by the Green Building Alliance, where they maintain a register of previously certified projects as well as approved BREEAM-NOR-APs and auditors.
BREEAM In-Use (BIU) applies to existing buildings already in use. While there is no Norwegian version of the BREEAM In-Use manual, there is a Norwegian translation of the international manual. There are separate manuals for commercial buildings and residential buildings, and these manuals are divided into two parts: Property and Management. BREEAM In-Use certifying an existing building can reduce costs, lower energy consumption and generally make the building more environmentally friendly. Certificates for BREEAM In-Use are issued by BRE, it is possible to conduct a BIU assessment independently, but if you want a certificate, a BIU auditor must verify the certification. You can find more information about BREEAM In-use and the Norwegian translation of the manual HERE.
BREEAM Infrastructure applies to major infrastructure projects, including civil engineering and transportation projects. This certification was previously called CEEQUAL. There is an international version of BREEAM Infrastructure and it is managed by BRE. Read more HERE.
BREEAM communities apply to area development and are used to systematize and guide sustainable activities and solutions for urban and concept development in larger areas. There is an international version of BREEAM Communities managed by BRE. Read more HERE.
The article is intended as indicative information only, we recommend contacting a BREEAM-AP or Assessor and seeking out the BREEAM manual for information. For more information about BREEAM, BREEAM-NOR and the process of obtaining a BREEAM certification, read more on the Green Building Alliance and Building Research Establishment pages.
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