Everything about BREEAM certification
BREEAM (Building Research Establishment Environmental Assessment Method) is an internationally recognised certification for building sustainability. It goes beyond just an EPC and assesses real estate across nine categories, including health, energy, materials, and transport. A BREEAM certificate not only provides property owners with insights into their current performance but also serves as a foundation for future sustainability improvements.
On this page, you will find everything you need to know about BREEAM certification and how CFP can support you. Looking for more general information about BREEAM?
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What is BREEAM certification?
BREEAM certification measures and evaluates the sustainability of real estate at different levels. The methodology is flexible and can be applied to existing buildings (in-use), new construction projects, and renovations. Each building is assessed on a scale from Pass to Outstanding, with Outstanding representing the highest sustainability performance.
The BREEAM In-Use methodology consists of three components:
- Asset: The physical characteristics of the building.
- Management: The way the building is maintained.
- Occupier Management: The behaviour of users and how the building is utilised on a daily basis.
Depending on the client’s needs, one, two, or all three components can be certified.
What does a BREEAM certificate offer?
A BREEAM certificate provides more than just recognition; it also offers concrete benefits:
- International recognition of your sustainability efforts.
- Increased property value.
- Insights into improvement opportunities for further sustainability.
- Transparency in your sustainability strategy.
The BREEAM certificate provides property owners and users with structured guidance on sustainability, tailored to their goals.
CFP’s role in BREEAM certification
CFP Green Buildings supports clients in two key ways to achieve BREEAM certification:
- Guidance throughout the certification process
We assist clients from the first step to the final certification. We identify opportunities through a BREEAM scan, develop improvement plans and help collect the necessary evidence. This makes the process efficient and transparent. - Independent assessment as a BREEAM assessor
As a certified BREEAM assessor, we conduct independent evaluations to certify the sustainability performance of real estate. Thanks to our experience as both advisors and assessors, we know how to streamline processes and provide optimal client support.
The portfolio approach for BREEAM certification
Beyond individual certifications, BREEAM’s portfolio approach offers an efficient way to certify multiple buildings at once. Developed by the Dutch Green Building Council (DGBC), this method enables real estate owners to certify an entire property portfolio in a quick and structured manner.
CFP has successfully implemented this approach for large portfolios, such as those of a.s.r. real estate and Vesteda. With the portfolio approach, property owners and managers can save time and costs while ensuring consistency in their sustainability strategy. Moreover, it provides an excellent foundation for planning future sustainability improvements across an entire portfolio.
Interested in a BREEAM certificate for your property?
Do you want to make your property more sustainable and obtain a BREEAM certificate? Or would you like to explore how BREEAM can enhance the value and sustainability of your real estate portfolio? Get in touch with us today and start your BREEAM journey.
BREEAM certification on an international level
BREEAM is globally recognised as the leading standard for sustainable buildings. The BREEAM International certificate allows real estate to be certified in multiple countries under uniform criteria.
CFP Green Buildings has extensive experience with international BREEAM projects and supports organisations with certification in various countries. Whether it’s an office portfolio in Belgium or a logistics centre in England, we ensure a smooth and successful certification process.
Our experience: over 2,500 BREEAM certifications supported
CFP Green Buildings has conducted over 2,500 BREEAM scans and facilitated numerous certifications. We have worked on iconic projects such as Paleis ’t Loo, the World Port Center, the Van Gogh Museum, and the Vesteda portfolio approach, where nearly 27,500 homes were certified in one go. Our expertise allows us to certify entire real estate portfolios efficiently, saving both time and costs.
News en cases about BREEAM
Frequently asked questions about the BREEAM certificate
What is a BREEAM certificate?
A BREEAM certificate is an internationally recognised certification that assesses the sustainability of a building. BREEAM certifies buildings based on performance in various categories, such as energy, water, materials and health. With a BREEAM certificate, you demonstrate that your property meets high sustainability standards and that you are actively working towards a greener future.
What is BREEAM In-Use?
BREEAM in-use is a certification specifically designed for existing buildings. It evaluates the sustainability of a building during its operational phase, including management and user behaviour. With BREEAM in-use, you can demonstrate that your property is being managed efficiently and sustainably, helping to reduce both costs and carbon emissions.
How do you obtain a BREEAM certificate?
Achieving a BREEAM certificate starts with setting clear sustainability goals. A BREEAM scan provides insight into your building’s sustainability potential and identifies the measures needed to meet international sustainability standards. The BREEAM certificate confirms that your building complies with these strict requirements.
Why obtain a BREEAM certificate?
A BREEAM certificate is valuable because it proves that a building is future-proof and sustainable. Certifications are assessed at different levels, such as pass, good, very good, excellent and outstanding. In the Netherlands, an increasing number of buildings achieve high scores, including BREEAM Excellent, contributing to both environmental benefits and market value.
What is BREEAM Excellent?
REEAM Excellent is one of the highest levels within BREEAM certification, indicating that a building performs exceptionally well in terms of sustainability. It means that the building meets strict requirements in areas such as energy consumption, health and materials. Many buildings in the Netherlands aim for this score due to its positive impact on both the environment and property value.
What is BREEAM Outstanding?
BREEAM Outstanding is the highest level a building can achieve within BREEAM certification. It signifies that the building scores exceptionally well across all sustainability criteria and ranks among the most sustainable buildings worldwide. Achieving a BREEAM Outstanding certificate requires innovative solutions and a strong focus on sustainability in design, construction and management.
