BREEAM Misconceptions - Revision history

Designing Buildings at 07:39, 9 December 2020

2020-12-09T07:39:15Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 07:39, 9 December 2020
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	* Sustainability.		* Sustainability.

−	[[Category:BREEAM]]	+	[[Category:DCN_Guidance]] [[Category:BREEAM]]

Designing Buildings at 06:01, 30 July 2019

2019-07-30T06:01:18Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 06:01, 30 July 2019
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	* Attendees were asked prepared questions in order to generate responses.		* Attendees were asked prepared questions in order to generate responses.
	* Attendance included approximately 80 built environment professionals, mostly BREEAM Assessors or APs, along with some contractors, design team members and suppliers.		* Attendance included approximately 80 built environment professionals, mostly BREEAM Assessors or APs, along with some contractors, design team members and suppliers.
−	* Replies were compiled from text chat, polling, ~~[https://www.designingbuildings.co.uk/wiki/Survey~~ surveys] and Google co-creation ~~[https://www.designingbuildings.co.uk/wiki/Document~~ documents].	+	* Replies were compiled from text chat, polling, surveys and Google co-creation documents.

	= Misconceptions about BREEAM/Sustainability =		= Misconceptions about BREEAM/Sustainability =

Designing Buildings at 06:00, 30 July 2019

2019-07-30T06:00:31Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 06:00, 30 July 2019
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	BREEAM 2018 has set the goalposts higher, requiring more “suitably qualified” professionals to complete some of the credits. Some of the standards have also been raised in order to push the market now that a majority of BREEAM projects are achieving high certification levels. Certainly the first owners to take up the 2018 challenge may baulk at the extra costs and there is some indication that some are doing so; however creating more transparent standards can also help the industry normalise these goals.		BREEAM 2018 has set the goalposts higher, requiring more “suitably qualified” professionals to complete some of the credits. Some of the standards have also been raised in order to push the market now that a majority of BREEAM projects are achieving high certification levels. Certainly the first owners to take up the 2018 challenge may baulk at the extra costs and there is some indication that some are doing so; however creating more transparent standards can also help the industry normalise these goals.

−	6. A “good” rating is nothing to be proud ~~of—its~~ “very good” or better or nothing	+	6. A “good” rating is nothing to be proud of - its “very good” or better or nothing: While on the face of it, it should be welcomed that owners want to set their sights high, achieving a very high BREEAM rating can simply be unachievable under strict time and cost budgets, or for other reasons. Very high certification levels, it can be argued, should be achievable only for the top projects seeking certification. If this means that owners would rather skip the rating than risk a “good” result then perhaps there is a misunderstanding of the meaning of the rating, or perhaps BRE needs to rethink the naming of rating levels in order to respect the motivational drivers in the industry.

−	While on the face of it, it should be welcomed that owners want to set their sights high, achieving a very high BREEAM rating can simply be unachievable under strict time and cost budgets, or for other reasons. Very high certification levels, it can be argued, should be achievable only for the top projects seeking certification. If this means that owners would rather skip the rating than risk a “good” result than perhaps there is a misunderstanding of the meaning of the rating, or perhaps BRE needs to rethink the naming of rating levels in order to respect the motivational drivers in the industry.	+	7. Certification process is expected to be complete at handover: This could be less misunderstood when certification becomes more common and more owners have experience; however it is probably also true that the certification industry needs to get better at informing owners clearly about the process, especially when it concerns owner’s key objectives and drivers.
−		+
−	~~== 7~~ Certification process is expected to be complete at handover ==	+
−		+
−	This could be less misunderstood when certification becomes more common and more owners have experience; however it is probably also true that the certification industry needs to get better at informing owners clearly about the process, especially when it concerns owner’s key objectives and drivers.	+

	= Other comments =		= Other comments =
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	Participants also commented on some difficulties of the recently-released BREEAM UK New Construction 2018. In the update to BREEAM’s 2014 version, there is a greater emphasis on specialist consultants and on completion of specific activities during Concept phase, when some sustainability teams may not be on board yet. While the larger team may increase expertise, they noted it will also increase costs.		Participants also commented on some difficulties of the recently-released BREEAM UK New Construction 2018. In the update to BREEAM’s 2014 version, there is a greater emphasis on specialist consultants and on completion of specific activities during Concept phase, when some sustainability teams may not be on board yet. While the larger team may increase expertise, they noted it will also increase costs.

−	Another issue is the amount of documentation required for certification. Though BRE has ~~emphasized~~ that most documentation should be a product of normal project administration, there is a greater reliance in the 2018 version on specially-prepared reports that some felt, fell short of providing value and utility for projects. There is a danger ~~where~~ BREEAM could be perceived to be more about process than outcomes.	+	Another issue is the amount of documentation required for certification. Though BRE has emphasised that most documentation should be a product of normal project administration, there is a greater reliance in the 2018 version on specially-prepared reports that some felt, fell short of providing value and utility for projects. There is a danger that BREEAM could be perceived to be more about process than outcomes.

	A smaller number felt that some flexibility has been lost in the current scheme, which may take some teams further from sustainable concepts and risk increasing the tendency to tick boxes.		A smaller number felt that some flexibility has been lost in the current scheme, which may take some teams further from sustainable concepts and risk increasing the tendency to tick boxes.

Designing Buildings at 05:57, 30 July 2019

2019-07-30T05:57:27Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 05:57, 30 July 2019
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	The lack of available seats at the Sustainability lecture area at [https://www.londonbuildexpo.com/ London Build] (October 2018) is a testament to the fact that sustainability is no longer a niche subject for the nerdy few. But how well does the construction industry understand sustainability and some of its key mechanisms such as BREEAM?		The lack of available seats at the Sustainability lecture area at [https://www.londonbuildexpo.com/ London Build] (October 2018) is a testament to the fact that sustainability is no longer a niche subject for the nerdy few. But how well does the construction industry understand sustainability and some of its key mechanisms such as BREEAM?

−	BREEAM APs and Assessors know that misconceptions abound, partly due to the fact that this is a complex subject. Busy construction professionals may have in-depth knowledge about specific strategies because of prior project experience, but still lack a wider perspective about how the pieces fit together. Larger contractors may have a better understanding of BREEAM and sustainability than smaller companies simply because they can afford to take on a specialist division.	+	BREEAM Advisory Professionals (APs) and Assessors know that misconceptions abound, partly due to the fact that this is a complex subject. Busy construction professionals may have in-depth knowledge about specific strategies because of prior project experience, but still lack a wider perspective about how the pieces fit together. Larger contractors may have a better understanding of BREEAM and sustainability than smaller companies simply because they can afford to take on a specialist division.

	Commonly held misconceptions can derail the sustainability mission of a project, especially those related to cost. At the same time it is important to acknowledge when complaints about the processes required by BREEAM and other certifications (LEED, Passivhaus, etc) create genuine barriers to achieving sustainability. Weeding out the misconceptions and addressing them is therefore an important step towards understanding how to remove systemic sustainability barriers so we can see the kind of take up in this sector that will be necessary in the years to come.		Commonly held misconceptions can derail the sustainability mission of a project, especially those related to cost. At the same time it is important to acknowledge when complaints about the processes required by BREEAM and other certifications (LEED, Passivhaus, etc) create genuine barriers to achieving sustainability. Weeding out the misconceptions and addressing them is therefore an important step towards understanding how to remove systemic sustainability barriers so we can see the kind of take up in this sector that will be necessary in the years to come.

−	One thing that we can agree on is that not enough owners voluntarily put sustainability at the ~~forefront~~ of their projects. It is the job of enlightened practitioners to work together with our standards and certifications partners as well as our clients to keep pushing the industry forward so that sustainable certification becomes desirable and isn’t done just because it’s required.	+	One thing that we can agree on is that not enough owners voluntarily put sustainability at the front of their projects. It is the job of enlightened practitioners to work together with our standards and certifications partners as well as our clients to keep pushing the industry forward so that sustainable certification becomes desirable and isn’t done just because it’s required.

	= Methodology =		= Methodology =

	* A BREEAM Public Knowledge Sharing Workshop was held in December 2018 to determine the most common misconceptions.		* A BREEAM Public Knowledge Sharing Workshop was held in December 2018 to determine the most common misconceptions.
−	* Rather than address sustainability in general, the subject was narrowed to “Misconceptions about BREEAM” in order to create consensus and focus	+	* Rather than address sustainability in general, the subject was narrowed to “Misconceptions about BREEAM” in order to create consensus and focus.
−	* Attendees were asked prepared questions in order to generate responses	+	* Attendees were asked prepared questions in order to generate responses.
	* Attendance included approximately 80 built environment professionals, mostly BREEAM Assessors or APs, along with some contractors, design team members and suppliers.		* Attendance included approximately 80 built environment professionals, mostly BREEAM Assessors or APs, along with some contractors, design team members and suppliers.
	* Replies were compiled from text chat, polling, [https://www.designingbuildings.co.uk/wiki/Survey surveys] and Google co-creation [https://www.designingbuildings.co.uk/wiki/Document documents].		* Replies were compiled from text chat, polling, [https://www.designingbuildings.co.uk/wiki/Survey surveys] and Google co-creation [https://www.designingbuildings.co.uk/wiki/Document documents].
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	Participants in the workshop identified the following seven common misconceptions:		Participants in the workshop identified the following seven common misconceptions:

−	== 1 The BREEAM Assessor/AP can be added after Concept stage ==	+	1. The BREEAM Assessor/AP can be added after Concept stage: The sustainability consultant is often appointed after other key consultant parties as an “add on”. However, correctly defined sustainability objectives should be part of the project brief and often cannot be tagged on at a later stage.

−	The ~~sustainability consultant is often appointed after other key consultant parties as an “add on”~~. ~~However correctly defined sustainability objectives~~ should be ~~part of~~ the ~~project brief and often cannot be tagged~~ on ~~at a later stage~~.	+	2. The stakeholder team will get on board with certification without a properly written set of Employer’s Requirements: Employers set the agenda. Even when the driver is planning permission or distant corporate benchmarking, the employer should be clear about the sustainability goals to ensure that all parties are on board.

−	~~== 2 The stakeholder team will get on board with certification without a properly written set~~ of ~~Employer’s Requirements ==~~	+	3. Sustainability/BREEAM can be added to rather than embedded into the project: Similar to the issue of adding the sustainability consultant late into the process, adding sustainability rather than designing it in from the start increases costs and reduces buy-in from all parties

−	~~Employers set the agenda~~. ~~Even when the driver~~ is ~~planning permission or distant corporate benchmarking~~, the ~~employer should be clear about the~~ sustainability goals to ~~ensure~~ that ~~all parties are on board~~.	+	4. BREEAM is a box-ticking exercise: Clients will often target a particular certification level, without providing guidance as to the key sustainability goals they want to achieve. This can lead to a points-driven exercise that undermines the chance to achieve real value for the project. Busy professionals jump straight to requirements and responsibilities and don’t take the time to understand the underlying values.

−	~~== 3 Sustainability/BREEAM can be added to rather than embedded into the project ==~~	+	5. Cost of sustainability is too high: Some projects with particular issues may struggle with added costs, especially if the initial design and specification are far from achieving BREEAM goals, but BREEAM is meant to be a “best fit” concept which is why lower certification levels exist - sometimes it is simply a case of fitting the correct sustainability specification to the project and budget constraints.
−		+
−	~~Similar to the issue of adding the sustainability consultant late into the process, adding sustainability rather than designing it in from the start increases costs and reduces buy-in from all parties~~	+
−		+
−	~~== 4 BREEAM is a box-ticking exercise ==~~	+
−		+
−	~~Clients will often target a particular certification level, without providing guidance as to the key sustainability goals they want to achieve~~. ~~This can lead to a points-driven exercise that undermines the chance to achieve real value for the project.~~	+
−		+
−	~~Busy professionals jump straight to requirements and responsibilities and don’t take the time to understand the underlying values.~~	+
−		+
−	~~== 5~~ Cost of sustainability is too high ==	+
−		+
−	Some projects with particular issues may struggle with added costs, especially if the initial design and specification are far from achieving BREEAM goals, but BREEAM is meant to be a “best fit” concept which is why lower certification levels ~~exist—sometimes~~ it is simply a case of fitting the correct sustainability specification to the project and budget constraints.	+

	See points 1 and 3: starting certification late into the design process adds cost and stress, due to missed opportunities and easy wins early on. Good planning is fundamental to keeping costs reasonable, as in any aspect of budget control.		See points 1 and 3: starting certification late into the design process adds cost and stress, due to missed opportunities and easy wins early on. Good planning is fundamental to keeping costs reasonable, as in any aspect of budget control.
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	Key investments such as energy saving rely on greater up-front cost in order to create later benefits. However the industry has not historically linked project cost and operational cost and is struggling to do so even now. This is something the industry must address in order to see faster progress in the take up of sustainability certifications. We asked if many of the BREEAM professionals had been involved in a value assessment of the sustainability aspects of their projects and most replied in the negative. If the team don’t understand the positive financial impacts of sustainability investments in terms of future asset security, occupant health and operational savings, they may consider strategies only in terms of negative cost and complexity.		Key investments such as energy saving rely on greater up-front cost in order to create later benefits. However the industry has not historically linked project cost and operational cost and is struggling to do so even now. This is something the industry must address in order to see faster progress in the take up of sustainability certifications. We asked if many of the BREEAM professionals had been involved in a value assessment of the sustainability aspects of their projects and most replied in the negative. If the team don’t understand the positive financial impacts of sustainability investments in terms of future asset security, occupant health and operational savings, they may consider strategies only in terms of negative cost and complexity.

−	BREEAM 2018 has set the goalposts higher, requiring more “suitably qualified” professionals to complete some of the credits. Some of the standards have also been raised in order to push the market now that a majority of BREEAM projects are achieving high certification levels. Certainly the first owners to take up the 2018 challenge may baulk at the extra costs and there is some indication that some are doing so; however creating more transparent standards can also help the industry ~~normalize~~ these goals.	+	BREEAM 2018 has set the goalposts higher, requiring more “suitably qualified” professionals to complete some of the credits. Some of the standards have also been raised in order to push the market now that a majority of BREEAM projects are achieving high certification levels. Certainly the first owners to take up the 2018 challenge may baulk at the extra costs and there is some indication that some are doing so; however creating more transparent standards can also help the industry normalise these goals.

−	== 6 A “good” rating is nothing to be proud of—its “very good” or better or nothing ==	+	6. A “good” rating is nothing to be proud of—its “very good” or better or nothing

	While on the face of it, it should be welcomed that owners want to set their sights high, achieving a very high BREEAM rating can simply be unachievable under strict time and cost budgets, or for other reasons. Very high certification levels, it can be argued, should be achievable only for the top projects seeking certification. If this means that owners would rather skip the rating than risk a “good” result than perhaps there is a misunderstanding of the meaning of the rating, or perhaps BRE needs to rethink the naming of rating levels in order to respect the motivational drivers in the industry.		While on the face of it, it should be welcomed that owners want to set their sights high, achieving a very high BREEAM rating can simply be unachievable under strict time and cost budgets, or for other reasons. Very high certification levels, it can be argued, should be achievable only for the top projects seeking certification. If this means that owners would rather skip the rating than risk a “good” result than perhaps there is a misunderstanding of the meaning of the rating, or perhaps BRE needs to rethink the naming of rating levels in order to respect the motivational drivers in the industry.
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	-----		-----
	BRE Global does not endorse any of the content posted and use of the content will not [https://www.designingbuildings.co.uk/wiki/Guarantee guarantee] the meeting of certification criteria.		BRE Global does not endorse any of the content posted and use of the content will not [https://www.designingbuildings.co.uk/wiki/Guarantee guarantee] the meeting of certification criteria.
		+
		+	= Related articles on Designing Buildings Wiki =
		+
		+	* BREEAM.Code for sustainable homes
		+	* Fabric first.
		+	* Home Quality Mark.
		+	* Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design.
		+	* Passivhaus.
		+	* Sustainability.

	[[Category:BREEAM]]		[[Category:BREEAM]]

185.60.220.4 at 15:27, 16 January 2019

2019-01-16T15:27:13Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 15:27, 16 January 2019
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	* Replies were compiled from text chat, polling, [https://www.designingbuildings.co.uk/wiki/Survey surveys] and Google co-creation [https://www.designingbuildings.co.uk/wiki/Document documents].		* Replies were compiled from text chat, polling, [https://www.designingbuildings.co.uk/wiki/Survey surveys] and Google co-creation [https://www.designingbuildings.co.uk/wiki/Document documents].

−	= Misconceptions about BREEAM =	+	= Misconceptions about BREEAM/Sustainability =

	Participants in the workshop identified the following seven common misconceptions:		Participants in the workshop identified the following seven common misconceptions:

92.19.243.147 at 14:09, 15 January 2019

2019-01-15T14:09:39Z

Designing Buildings at 13:18, 15 January 2019

2019-01-15T13:18:38Z

Multiple Author Article at 12:46, 15 January 2019

2019-01-15T12:46:07Z

Multiple Author Article at 12:44, 15 January 2019

2019-01-15T12:44:20Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 12:44, 15 January 2019
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	Participants in the workshop identified the following seven common misconceptions:		Participants in the workshop identified the following seven common misconceptions:

−	== 1. The BREEAM Assessor/AP can be added after Concept stage ==	+	=== 1. The BREEAM Assessor/AP can be added after Concept stage ===

	The sustainability consultant is often appointed after other key consultant parties as an “add on”. However correctly defined sustainability objectives should be part of the project brief and often cannot be tagged on at a later stage.		The sustainability consultant is often appointed after other key consultant parties as an “add on”. However correctly defined sustainability objectives should be part of the project brief and often cannot be tagged on at a later stage.

Multiple Author Article at 12:43, 15 January 2019

2019-01-15T12:43:20Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 12:43, 15 January 2019
Line 21:		Line 21:
	Participants in the workshop identified the following seven common misconceptions:		Participants in the workshop identified the following seven common misconceptions:

−	1. The BREEAM Assessor/AP can be added after Concept stage	+	== 1. The BREEAM Assessor/AP can be added after Concept stage ==

	The sustainability consultant is often appointed after other key consultant parties as an “add on”. However correctly defined sustainability objectives should be part of the project brief and often cannot be tagged on at a later stage.		The sustainability consultant is often appointed after other key consultant parties as an “add on”. However correctly defined sustainability objectives should be part of the project brief and often cannot be tagged on at a later stage.

← Older revision		Revision as of 14:09, 15 January 2019
Line 21:		Line 21:
	Participants in the workshop identified the following seven common misconceptions:		Participants in the workshop identified the following seven common misconceptions:

−	== The BREEAM Assessor/AP can be added after Concept stage ==	+	== 1 The BREEAM Assessor/AP can be added after Concept stage ==

	The sustainability consultant is often appointed after other key consultant parties as an “add on”. However correctly defined sustainability objectives should be part of the project brief and often cannot be tagged on at a later stage.		The sustainability consultant is often appointed after other key consultant parties as an “add on”. However correctly defined sustainability objectives should be part of the project brief and often cannot be tagged on at a later stage.

−	== The stakeholder team will get on board with certification without a properly written set of Employer’s Requirements ==	+	== 2 The stakeholder team will get on board with certification without a properly written set of Employer’s Requirements ==

	Employers set the agenda. Even when the driver is planning permission or distant corporate benchmarking, the employer should be clear about the sustainability goals to ensure that all parties are on board.		Employers set the agenda. Even when the driver is planning permission or distant corporate benchmarking, the employer should be clear about the sustainability goals to ensure that all parties are on board.

−	== Sustainability/BREEAM can be added to rather than embedded into the project ==	+	== 3 Sustainability/BREEAM can be added to rather than embedded into the project ==

	Similar to the issue of adding the sustainability consultant late into the process, adding sustainability rather than designing it in from the start increases costs and reduces buy-in from all parties		Similar to the issue of adding the sustainability consultant late into the process, adding sustainability rather than designing it in from the start increases costs and reduces buy-in from all parties

−	== BREEAM is a box-ticking exercise ==	+	== 4 BREEAM is a box-ticking exercise ==

	Clients will often target a particular certification level, without providing guidance as to the key sustainability goals they want to achieve. This can lead to a points-driven exercise that undermines the chance to achieve real value for the project.		Clients will often target a particular certification level, without providing guidance as to the key sustainability goals they want to achieve. This can lead to a points-driven exercise that undermines the chance to achieve real value for the project.
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	Busy professionals jump straight to requirements and responsibilities and don’t take the time to understand the underlying values.		Busy professionals jump straight to requirements and responsibilities and don’t take the time to understand the underlying values.

−	== Cost of sustainability is too high ==	+	== 5 Cost of sustainability is too high ==

	Some projects with particular issues may struggle with added costs, especially if the initial design and specification are far from achieving BREEAM goals, but BREEAM is meant to be a “best fit” concept which is why lower certification levels exist—sometimes it is simply a case of fitting the correct sustainability specification to the project and budget constraints.		Some projects with particular issues may struggle with added costs, especially if the initial design and specification are far from achieving BREEAM goals, but BREEAM is meant to be a “best fit” concept which is why lower certification levels exist—sometimes it is simply a case of fitting the correct sustainability specification to the project and budget constraints.
Line 51:		Line 51:
	BREEAM 2018 has set the goalposts higher, requiring more “suitably qualified” professionals to complete some of the credits. Some of the standards have also been raised in order to push the market now that a majority of BREEAM projects are achieving high certification levels. Certainly the first owners to take up the 2018 challenge may baulk at the extra costs and there is some indication that some are doing so; however creating more transparent standards can also help the industry normalize these goals.		BREEAM 2018 has set the goalposts higher, requiring more “suitably qualified” professionals to complete some of the credits. Some of the standards have also been raised in order to push the market now that a majority of BREEAM projects are achieving high certification levels. Certainly the first owners to take up the 2018 challenge may baulk at the extra costs and there is some indication that some are doing so; however creating more transparent standards can also help the industry normalize these goals.

−	== A “good” rating is nothing to be proud of—its “very good” or better or nothing ==	+	== 6 A “good” rating is nothing to be proud of—its “very good” or better or nothing ==

	While on the face of it, it should be welcomed that owners want to set their sights high, achieving a very high BREEAM rating can simply be unachievable under strict time and cost budgets, or for other reasons. Very high certification levels, it can be argued, should be achievable only for the top projects seeking certification. If this means that owners would rather skip the rating than risk a “good” result than perhaps there is a misunderstanding of the meaning of the rating, or perhaps BRE needs to rethink the naming of rating levels in order to respect the motivational drivers in the industry.		While on the face of it, it should be welcomed that owners want to set their sights high, achieving a very high BREEAM rating can simply be unachievable under strict time and cost budgets, or for other reasons. Very high certification levels, it can be argued, should be achievable only for the top projects seeking certification. If this means that owners would rather skip the rating than risk a “good” result than perhaps there is a misunderstanding of the meaning of the rating, or perhaps BRE needs to rethink the naming of rating levels in order to respect the motivational drivers in the industry.

−	== Certification process is expected to be complete at handover ==	+	== 7 Certification process is expected to be complete at handover ==

	This could be less misunderstood when certification becomes more common and more owners have experience; however it is probably also true that the certification industry needs to get better at informing owners clearly about the process, especially when it concerns owner’s key objectives and drivers.		This could be less misunderstood when certification becomes more common and more owners have experience; however it is probably also true that the certification industry needs to get better at informing owners clearly about the process, especially when it concerns owner’s key objectives and drivers.

← Older revision		Revision as of 13:18, 15 January 2019
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	Participants in the workshop identified the following seven common misconceptions:		Participants in the workshop identified the following seven common misconceptions:

−	== 1. The BREEAM Assessor/AP can be added after Concept stage ==	+	== The BREEAM Assessor/AP can be added after Concept stage ==

	The sustainability consultant is often appointed after other key consultant parties as an “add on”. However correctly defined sustainability objectives should be part of the project brief and often cannot be tagged on at a later stage.		The sustainability consultant is often appointed after other key consultant parties as an “add on”. However correctly defined sustainability objectives should be part of the project brief and often cannot be tagged on at a later stage.

−	== 2. The stakeholder team will get on board with certification without a properly written set of Employer’s Requirements ==	+	== The stakeholder team will get on board with certification without a properly written set of Employer’s Requirements ==

	Employers set the agenda. Even when the driver is planning permission or distant corporate benchmarking, the employer should be clear about the sustainability goals to ensure that all parties are on board.		Employers set the agenda. Even when the driver is planning permission or distant corporate benchmarking, the employer should be clear about the sustainability goals to ensure that all parties are on board.

−	== 3. Sustainability/BREEAM can be added to rather than embedded into the project ==	+	== Sustainability/BREEAM can be added to rather than embedded into the project ==

	Similar to the issue of adding the sustainability consultant late into the process, adding sustainability rather than designing it in from the start increases costs and reduces buy-in from all parties		Similar to the issue of adding the sustainability consultant late into the process, adding sustainability rather than designing it in from the start increases costs and reduces buy-in from all parties

−	== 4. BREEAM is a box-ticking exercise ==	+	== BREEAM is a box-ticking exercise ==

	Clients will often target a particular certification level, without providing guidance as to the key sustainability goals they want to achieve. This can lead to a points-driven exercise that undermines the chance to achieve real value for the project.		Clients will often target a particular certification level, without providing guidance as to the key sustainability goals they want to achieve. This can lead to a points-driven exercise that undermines the chance to achieve real value for the project.
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	Busy professionals jump straight to requirements and responsibilities and don’t take the time to understand the underlying values.		Busy professionals jump straight to requirements and responsibilities and don’t take the time to understand the underlying values.

−	== 5. Cost of sustainability is too high ==	+	== Cost of sustainability is too high ==

	Some projects with particular issues may struggle with added costs, especially if the initial design and specification are far from achieving BREEAM goals, but BREEAM is meant to be a “best fit” concept which is why lower certification levels exist—sometimes it is simply a case of fitting the correct sustainability specification to the project and budget constraints.		Some projects with particular issues may struggle with added costs, especially if the initial design and specification are far from achieving BREEAM goals, but BREEAM is meant to be a “best fit” concept which is why lower certification levels exist—sometimes it is simply a case of fitting the correct sustainability specification to the project and budget constraints.
Line 51:		Line 51:
	BREEAM 2018 has set the goalposts higher, requiring more “suitably qualified” professionals to complete some of the credits. Some of the standards have also been raised in order to push the market now that a majority of BREEAM projects are achieving high certification levels. Certainly the first owners to take up the 2018 challenge may baulk at the extra costs and there is some indication that some are doing so; however creating more transparent standards can also help the industry normalize these goals.		BREEAM 2018 has set the goalposts higher, requiring more “suitably qualified” professionals to complete some of the credits. Some of the standards have also been raised in order to push the market now that a majority of BREEAM projects are achieving high certification levels. Certainly the first owners to take up the 2018 challenge may baulk at the extra costs and there is some indication that some are doing so; however creating more transparent standards can also help the industry normalize these goals.

−	== 6. A “good” rating is nothing to be proud of—its “very good” or better or nothing ==	+	== A “good” rating is nothing to be proud of—its “very good” or better or nothing ==

	While on the face of it, it should be welcomed that owners want to set their sights high, achieving a very high BREEAM rating can simply be unachievable under strict time and cost budgets, or for other reasons. Very high certification levels, it can be argued, should be achievable only for the top projects seeking certification. If this means that owners would rather skip the rating than risk a “good” result than perhaps there is a misunderstanding of the meaning of the rating, or perhaps BRE needs to rethink the naming of rating levels in order to respect the motivational drivers in the industry.		While on the face of it, it should be welcomed that owners want to set their sights high, achieving a very high BREEAM rating can simply be unachievable under strict time and cost budgets, or for other reasons. Very high certification levels, it can be argued, should be achievable only for the top projects seeking certification. If this means that owners would rather skip the rating than risk a “good” result than perhaps there is a misunderstanding of the meaning of the rating, or perhaps BRE needs to rethink the naming of rating levels in order to respect the motivational drivers in the industry.

−	== 7. Certification process is expected to be complete at handover ==	+	== Certification process is expected to be complete at handover ==

	This could be less misunderstood when certification becomes more common and more owners have experience; however it is probably also true that the certification industry needs to get better at informing owners clearly about the process, especially when it concerns owner’s key objectives and drivers.		This could be less misunderstood when certification becomes more common and more owners have experience; however it is probably also true that the certification industry needs to get better at informing owners clearly about the process, especially when it concerns owner’s key objectives and drivers.

← Older revision		Revision as of 12:46, 15 January 2019
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	Participants in the workshop identified the following seven common misconceptions:		Participants in the workshop identified the following seven common misconceptions:

−	=== 1. The BREEAM Assessor/AP can be added after Concept stage ===	+	== 1. The BREEAM Assessor/AP can be added after Concept stage ==

	The sustainability consultant is often appointed after other key consultant parties as an “add on”. However correctly defined sustainability objectives should be part of the project brief and often cannot be tagged on at a later stage.		The sustainability consultant is often appointed after other key consultant parties as an “add on”. However correctly defined sustainability objectives should be part of the project brief and often cannot be tagged on at a later stage.

−	2. The stakeholder team will get on board with certification without a properly written set of Employer’s Requirements	+	== 2. The stakeholder team will get on board with certification without a properly written set of Employer’s Requirements ==

−	* Employers set the agenda. Even when the driver is planning permission or distant corporate benchmarking, the employer should be clear about the sustainability goals to ensure that all parties are on board.	+	Employers set the agenda. Even when the driver is planning permission or distant corporate benchmarking, the employer should be clear about the sustainability goals to ensure that all parties are on board.

−	3. Sustainability/BREEAM can be added to rather than embedded into the project	+	== 3. Sustainability/BREEAM can be added to rather than embedded into the project ==

	Similar to the issue of adding the sustainability consultant late into the process, adding sustainability rather than designing it in from the start increases costs and reduces buy-in from all parties		Similar to the issue of adding the sustainability consultant late into the process, adding sustainability rather than designing it in from the start increases costs and reduces buy-in from all parties

−	4. BREEAM is a box-ticking exercise	+	== 4. BREEAM is a box-ticking exercise ==

	Clients will often target a particular certification level, without providing guidance as to the key sustainability goals they want to achieve. This can lead to a points-driven exercise that undermines the chance to achieve real value for the project.		Clients will often target a particular certification level, without providing guidance as to the key sustainability goals they want to achieve. This can lead to a points-driven exercise that undermines the chance to achieve real value for the project.
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	Busy professionals jump straight to requirements and responsibilities and don’t take the time to understand the underlying values.		Busy professionals jump straight to requirements and responsibilities and don’t take the time to understand the underlying values.

−	5. Cost of sustainability is too high	+	== 5. Cost of sustainability is too high ==

	Some projects with particular issues may struggle with added costs, especially if the initial design and specification are far from achieving BREEAM goals, but BREEAM is meant to be a “best fit” concept which is why lower certification levels exist—sometimes it is simply a case of fitting the correct sustainability specification to the project and budget constraints.		Some projects with particular issues may struggle with added costs, especially if the initial design and specification are far from achieving BREEAM goals, but BREEAM is meant to be a “best fit” concept which is why lower certification levels exist—sometimes it is simply a case of fitting the correct sustainability specification to the project and budget constraints.
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	BREEAM 2018 has set the goalposts higher, requiring more “suitably qualified” professionals to complete some of the credits. Some of the standards have also been raised in order to push the market now that a majority of BREEAM projects are achieving high certification levels. Certainly the first owners to take up the 2018 challenge may baulk at the extra costs and there is some indication that some are doing so; however creating more transparent standards can also help the industry normalize these goals.		BREEAM 2018 has set the goalposts higher, requiring more “suitably qualified” professionals to complete some of the credits. Some of the standards have also been raised in order to push the market now that a majority of BREEAM projects are achieving high certification levels. Certainly the first owners to take up the 2018 challenge may baulk at the extra costs and there is some indication that some are doing so; however creating more transparent standards can also help the industry normalize these goals.

−	6. A “good” rating is nothing to be proud of—its “very good” or better or nothing	+	== 6. A “good” rating is nothing to be proud of—its “very good” or better or nothing ==

	While on the face of it, it should be welcomed that owners want to set their sights high, achieving a very high BREEAM rating can simply be unachievable under strict time and cost budgets, or for other reasons. Very high certification levels, it can be argued, should be achievable only for the top projects seeking certification. If this means that owners would rather skip the rating than risk a “good” result than perhaps there is a misunderstanding of the meaning of the rating, or perhaps BRE needs to rethink the naming of rating levels in order to respect the motivational drivers in the industry.		While on the face of it, it should be welcomed that owners want to set their sights high, achieving a very high BREEAM rating can simply be unachievable under strict time and cost budgets, or for other reasons. Very high certification levels, it can be argued, should be achievable only for the top projects seeking certification. If this means that owners would rather skip the rating than risk a “good” result than perhaps there is a misunderstanding of the meaning of the rating, or perhaps BRE needs to rethink the naming of rating levels in order to respect the motivational drivers in the industry.

−	7. Certification process is expected to be complete at handover	+	== 7. Certification process is expected to be complete at handover ==

	This could be less misunderstood when certification becomes more common and more owners have experience; however it is probably also true that the certification industry needs to get better at informing owners clearly about the process, especially when it concerns owner’s key objectives and drivers.		This could be less misunderstood when certification becomes more common and more owners have experience; however it is probably also true that the certification industry needs to get better at informing owners clearly about the process, especially when it concerns owner’s key objectives and drivers.

−	Other comments	+	= Other comments =

	Participants also commented on some difficulties of the recently-released BREEAM UK New Construction 2018. In the update to BREEAM’s 2014 version, there is a greater emphasis on specialist consultants and on completion of specific activities during Concept phase, when some sustainability teams may not be on board yet. While the larger team may increase expertise, they noted it will also increase costs.		Participants also commented on some difficulties of the recently-released BREEAM UK New Construction 2018. In the update to BREEAM’s 2014 version, there is a greater emphasis on specialist consultants and on completion of specific activities during Concept phase, when some sustainability teams may not be on board yet. While the larger team may increase expertise, they noted it will also increase costs.