Definition
BREEAM (Building Research Establishment Environmental Assessment Method) is the world's first and one of the most widely used sustainability assessment methods for buildings and infrastructure projects. Developed in the UK, it evaluates performance across categories including energy, health, materials, waste, ecology, and management. BREEAM ratings range from Pass to Outstanding.
Why It Matters
BREEAM is particularly dominant in European and UK property markets as a benchmark for sustainable building performance. It provides investors and developers with a credible, independently assessed measure of building sustainability.
Related Terms
Green Building
Green building refers to the practice of designing, constructing, and operating buildings in a way that reduces their environmental impact and enhances occupant health. This includes energy efficiency, water conservation, sustainable materials, and indoor air quality. Green building certifications like LEED and BREEAM provide standardised benchmarks.
LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design)
LEED is a globally recognised green building certification system developed by the US Green Building Council. It provides a framework for healthy, efficient, and cost-saving buildings across several categories including new construction, interiors, and operations. Projects earn points across categories such as energy, water, materials, and indoor environmental quality to achieve certification levels from Certified to Platinum.
ISO 14001
ISO 14001 is an internationally recognised standard for environmental management systems (EMS) published by the International Organization for Standardization. It provides a framework for organisations to systematically manage their environmental responsibilities, reduce waste, and improve resource efficiency. Certification requires third-party auditing and ongoing compliance.