Strategic ecology framework SEF - Revision history

Designing Buildings at 08:39, 19 December 2020

2020-12-19T08:39:51Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 08:39, 19 December 2020
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	It originally appeared as [http://brebuzz.net/2016/05/13/boosting-ecology-in-breeam/ Boosting ecology in BREEAM] written by Simon Guy and published on 13 May 2016.		It originally appeared as [http://brebuzz.net/2016/05/13/boosting-ecology-in-breeam/ Boosting ecology in BREEAM] written by Simon Guy and published on 13 May 2016.

−	~~= Find out more =~~	+	= Related articles on Designing Buildings Wiki =
−		+
−	=== Related articles on Designing Buildings Wiki ===	+

	* BRE Buzz articles on Designing Buildings Wiki.		* BRE Buzz articles on Designing Buildings Wiki.
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	* Wellbeing and creativity in workplace design - case studies.		* Wellbeing and creativity in workplace design - case studies.

−	[[Category:~~Organisations~~]] [[Category:~~DCN_Organisation~~]] [[Category:Publications_/_reports]] [[Category:Sustainability]]	+	[[Category:DCN_Definition]] [[Category:DCN_Guidance]] [[Category:DCN_Standard]] [[Category:Organisations]] [[Category:Publications_/_reports]] [[Category:Sustainability]]

Designing Buildings at 09:09, 27 April 2018

2018-04-27T09:09:50Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 09:09, 27 April 2018
Line 77:		Line 77:

	* BRE Buzz articles on Designing Buildings Wiki.		* BRE Buzz articles on Designing Buildings Wiki.
−	* BREEAM.	+	* BREEAM Ecological value of site.
		+	* BREEAM Enhancing site ecology.
		+	* BREEAM Protection of ecological features.
		+	* BREEAM Minimising impact on existing site ecology.
	* Ecology.		* Ecology.
	* Environmental plan.		* Environmental plan.
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	* Wellbeing and creativity in workplace design - case studies.		* Wellbeing and creativity in workplace design - case studies.

−	[[Category:Organisations]] [[Category:Publications_/_reports]] [[Category:Sustainability]]	+	[[Category:Organisations]] [[Category:DCN_Organisation]] [[Category:Publications_/_reports]] [[Category:Sustainability]]

Editor at 13:35, 24 April 2017

2017-04-24T13:35:26Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 13:35, 24 April 2017
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	The final Strategic Ecology Framework, the first document of its type to be developed for BREEAM, is launched in May 2016.		The final Strategic Ecology Framework, the first document of its type to be developed for BREEAM, is launched in May 2016.

−	Ben Kimpton Principle Ecologist of The Ecology consultancy, which has been working with BRE since 2007 as part of the task groups set up to advise on biodiversity, said, “The launch of the SEF provides a significant shift in how future BREEAM methodologies will be updated. It has been designed in consultation with a broad range of stakeholders in both the landscape and ecology sectors. As such, it promotes more collaborative work within design teams and takes account of current approaches on how to deliver high quality environmental and sustainable features in a robust yet pragmatic way. The construction industry and our clients are set to benefit from these changes.”	+	Ben Kimpton Principle Ecologist of The Ecology consultancy, which has been working with BRE since 2007 as part of the task groups set up to advise on biodiversity, said, “The launch of the SEF provides a significant shift in how future BREEAM methodologies will be updated. It has been designed in consultation with a broad range of stakeholders in both the landscape and ecology sectors.
		+
		+	As such, it promotes more collaborative work within design teams and takes account of current approaches on how to deliver high quality environmental and sustainable features in a robust yet pragmatic way. The construction industry and our clients are set to benefit from these changes.”

	= How it works =		= How it works =
Line 59:		Line 61:
	Initial response to the SEF has been positive. A ‘renewed and integrated vision to measure the environmental, social and commercial benefits of green infrastructure, promoting the enhancement of the ecological value of projects’ is how Rita Margarido of Canary Wharf Contractors, one of the stakeholders in the project, describes the SEF.		Initial response to the SEF has been positive. A ‘renewed and integrated vision to measure the environmental, social and commercial benefits of green infrastructure, promoting the enhancement of the ecological value of projects’ is how Rita Margarido of Canary Wharf Contractors, one of the stakeholders in the project, describes the SEF.

−	Helen Newman, Senior Associate of Tuffin Ferraby Taylor, also a stakeholder, said, “The new Strategic Ecology Framework is a significantly more considered and holistic approach, which should better reflect the complexity of practical and commercial considerations, and professional judgement in benchmarking ecology. The SEF also recognises the diverse range of interrelated benefits associated with enhancing biodiversity within the built environment including health and wellbeing, air quality and surface water attenuation. We look forward to seeing how the SEF is translated into BREEAM credit requirements and anticipate a more effective method for benchmarking ecological value and recognising biodiversity design improvements.”	+	Helen Newman, Senior Associate of Tuffin Ferraby Taylor, also a stakeholder, said:
		+
		+	“The new Strategic Ecology Framework is a significantly more considered and holistic approach, which should better reflect the complexity of practical and commercial considerations, and professional judgement in benchmarking ecology. The SEF also recognises the diverse range of interrelated benefits associated with enhancing biodiversity within the built environment including health and wellbeing, air quality and surface water attenuation. We look forward to seeing how the SEF is translated into BREEAM credit requirements and anticipate a more effective method for benchmarking ecological value and recognising biodiversity design improvements.”

	Further information on the SEF can be found at [http://www.breeam.com/sef www.breeam.com/sef].		Further information on the SEF can be found at [http://www.breeam.com/sef www.breeam.com/sef].
Line 78:		Line 82:
	* Green roof.		* Green roof.
	* Landscape design.		* Landscape design.
		+	* Materials Management Plan (MMP).
	* Use of lighting to improve health and wellbeing.		* Use of lighting to improve health and wellbeing.
	* Wellbeing.		* Wellbeing.

Designing Buildings at 10:16, 16 May 2016

2016-05-16T10:16:46Z

Editor at 09:27, 16 May 2016

2016-05-16T09:27:53Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 09:27, 16 May 2016
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−	[[File:7-Air-for-Buzz.jpg]]	+	[[File:7-Air-for-Buzz.jpg\|link=File:7-Air-for-Buzz.jpg]]

	= Introduction =		= Introduction =
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	* Ecology.		* Ecology.
	* Environmental plan.		* Environmental plan.
		+	* Green roof.
	* Landscape design.		* Landscape design.
	* Use of lighting to improve health and wellbeing.		* Use of lighting to improve health and wellbeing.
		+	* Wellbeing.
	* Wellbeing and creativity in workplace design - case studies.		* Wellbeing and creativity in workplace design - case studies.

	[[Category:Organisations]] [[Category:Publications_/_reports]] [[Category:Sustainability]]		[[Category:Organisations]] [[Category:Publications_/_reports]] [[Category:Sustainability]]

Editor: Created page with "File:7-Air-for-Buzz.jpg = Introduction = A rich ecology can enhance our communities and improve the health and wellbeing of building users. BREEAM has developed a framework..."

2016-05-16T09:27:03Z

Created page with "File:7-Air-for-Buzz.jpg = Introduction = A rich ecology can enhance our communities and improve the health and wellbeing of building users. BREEAM has developed a framework..."

New page

[[File:7-Air-for-Buzz.jpg]]

= Introduction =

A rich ecology can enhance our communities and improve the health and wellbeing of building users. BREEAM has developed a framework for guiding the future development of its ecology assessment criteria which will help project teams to take practical actions that protect and improve the ecology of buildings and developments.

The BREEAM Outstanding rated office building, 7 Air Street, is part of The Crown Estate’s £1 billion Regent Street regeneration in London. Its extensive green roof and pocket habitats of wildflowers and nectar-rich species, form part of The Crown Estate’s Central London Ecology Masterplan that includes an aspirational target to deliver a hectare of new green space across its West End portfolio.

Whilst not all projects can be this ambitious, they can take steps to protect and enhance the ecological value of buildings and sites, such as preserving natural areas, maintaining ponds, bee-friendly planting and very many others. Protecting and improving the ecology can contribute greatly to the environmental quality of our increasingly urbanised world and – as a growing body of evidence shows – improve the health, wellbeing and even productivity of building users.

However, ecology is a complex and highly interrelated discipline. Ecological practice has developed rapidly over recent years and it is important that BREEAM keeps up to date with best practice in a practical and achievable way. Without a clear forward looking strategy, opportunities to conserve and enhance a site’s ecological value can be missed, and measures taken to add ecological value may not perform as well as expected.

= Strategic approach =

With that in mind and following extensive feedback from a wide range of stakeholders, including ecology and landscape professionals and others commonly engaged with BREEAM assessments, the BRE team behind BREEAM concluded that the scheme should take a more strategic approach to encouraging high ecological standards.

The treatment of ecology in UK BREEAM schemes has therefore been extensively reviewed in order to develop a Strategic Ecology Framework (SEF) for improving and evaluating the ecological performance of buildings, assets and developments. The key aims of the SEF are to help project teams to:

* Understand the existing ecology of a site to identify the best approach.
* Identify, protect and enhance key ecological features.
* Remove or limit existing features that are negatively affecting the site’s ecology.
* Mitigate unavoidable impacts and compensate against residual impacts.
* Enhance the ecological value of the site and surrounding areas by encouraging other ecological features.

Peter Johnson, Group Environmental Manager of the Kier Group, which participated in developing the SEF said:

“The new Strategic Ecology Framework will significantly contribute to strengthening the important role ecology now plays in the built environment, particularly in the areas of health and wellbeing and infrastructure services, and will ensure that effective long-term maintenance and monitoring programmes are put in place.”

= Consulting the stakeholders =

Before drafting the SEF, the BREEAM team extensively consulted with wide ranging stakeholders, including ecologists, landscape architects, policy makers, specifiers, contractors and BREEAM assessors. More than 150 responses to an online survey were considered in preparing the SEF’s draft scope, which was refined by stakeholder focus groups and then distributed to the BREEAM assessor network for comment.

The finalised Strategic Ecology Framework, the first document of its type to be developed for BREEAM, is launched this month.

“The launch of the SEF provides a significant shift in how future BREEAM methodologies will be updated,” says Ben Kimpton Principle Ecologist of The Ecology consultancy, which has been working with BRE since 2007 as part of the task groups set up to advise on biodiversity.

“It has been designed in consultation with a broad range of stakeholders in both the landscape and ecology sectors. As such, it promotes more collaborative work within design teams and takes account of current approaches on how to deliver high quality environmental and sustainable features in a robust yet pragmatic way. The construction industry and our clients are set to benefit from these changes.”

= How it works =

Whilst the SEF does not itself present ecological assessment criteria, it provides a framework of common objectives and actions to guide and align their development.

All BREEAM schemes are regularly reviewed and updated to ensure that they remain in line with new developments, evolving legislation and feedback from users, and continue to drive higher sustainability standards. The SEF will now be part of this process. It will guide the development of balanced ecology-related assessment criteria – which take account of real-world practicalities and the functionality of the building/asset being assessed – when the following UK schemes are updated:

* BREEAM UK Communities.
* BREEAM UK New Construction (non-domestic).
* Home Quality Mark (new build domestic).
* BREEAM UK Refurbishment (domestic and non-domestic).
* BREEAM In-Use.
* BREEAM Infrastructure.

The SEF has been designed to deliver assessment criteria which provide incentives that encourage project teams to consider ecology issues throughout a project’s design, construction and operational life cycle stages. Some aspects of the SEF will not be appropriate to all life cycle stages but relevance will be considered as each scheme is updated.

The SEF is organised into six Tasks, each accompanied by their objectives and supporting detail to demonstrate how the objectives can be met. The six Tasks cover

* Assessing and evaluating the site’s existing ecological value and condition.
* Establishing the ecological goals for the site.
* Identifying and selecting the options for achieving the goals.
* Developing the action plan.
* Implementing the action plan.
* Monitoring and reviewing action plan implementation.

Initial response to the SEF has been positive. A ‘renewed and integrated vision to measure the environmental, social and commercial benefits of green infrastructure, promoting the enhancement of the ecological value of projects’ is how Rita Margarido of Canary Wharf Contractors, one of the stakeholders in the project, describes the SEF.

Helen Newman, Senior Associate of Tuffin Ferraby Taylor, also a stakeholder, said:

“The new Strategic Ecology Framework is a significantly more considered and holistic approach, which should better reflect the complexity of practical and commercial considerations, and professional judgement in benchmarking ecology.

“The SEF also recognises the diverse range of interrelated benefits associated with enhancing biodiversity within the built environment including health and wellbeing, air quality and surface water attenuation. We look forward to seeing how the SEF is translated into BREEAM credit requirements and anticipate a more effective method for benchmarking ecological value and recognising biodiversity design improvements.”

Further information on the SEF can be found at [http://www.breeam.com/sef www.breeam.com/sef].

-----
This article was created by --[[User:BRE_Buzz|BRE Buzz]]

It originally appeared as [http://brebuzz.net/2016/05/13/boosting-ecology-in-breeam/ Boosting ecology in BREEAM] written by Simon Guy and published on 13 May 2016.

= Find out more =

=== Related articles on Designing Buildings Wiki ===

* BRE Buzz articles on Designing Buildings Wiki.
* BREEAM.
* Ecology.
* Environmental plan.
* Landscape design.
* Use of lighting to improve health and wellbeing.
* Wellbeing and creativity in workplace design - case studies.

[[Category:Organisations]] [[Category:Publications_/_reports]] [[Category:Sustainability]]

← Older revision		Revision as of 10:16, 16 May 2016
Line 3:		Line 3:
	= Introduction =		= Introduction =

−	A rich ecology can enhance ~~our~~ communities and improve the health and wellbeing of building users. BREEAM has developed a framework for guiding the future development of ~~its~~ ecology assessment criteria which will help project teams to take practical actions ~~that~~ protect and improve the ecology of buildings and developments.	+	A rich ecology can enhance communities and improve the health and wellbeing of building users. BREEAM (Building Research Establishment Environmental Assessment Method) has developed a framework for guiding the future development of ecology assessment criteria which will help project teams take practical actions to protect and improve the ecology of buildings and developments.

−	The BREEAM Outstanding rated office building, 7 Air Street, is part of The Crown Estate’s £1 billion Regent Street regeneration in London. Its extensive green roof and pocket habitats of wildflowers and nectar-rich species, form part of The Crown Estate’s Central London Ecology Masterplan ~~that~~ includes ~~an aspirational~~ target to deliver a hectare of new green space across its West End portfolio.	+	The BREEAM Outstanding rated office building, 7 Air Street, is part of The Crown Estate’s £1 billion Regent Street regeneration in London. Its extensive green roof and 'pocket' habitats of wildflowers and nectar-rich species, form part of The Crown Estate’s Central London Ecology Masterplan which includes a target to deliver a hectare of new green space across its West End portfolio.

−	Whilst not all projects can be this ambitious, they can take steps to protect and enhance the ecological value of buildings and sites~~, such as~~ preserving natural areas, maintaining ponds, bee-friendly planting and ~~very many others~~. Protecting and improving the ecology can contribute greatly to the environmental quality of our increasingly urbanised world and – as a growing body of evidence shows – improve the health, wellbeing and ~~even~~ productivity of building users.	+	Whilst not all projects can be this ambitious, they can take steps to protect and enhance the ecological value of buildings and sites; preserving natural areas, maintaining ponds, bee-friendly planting and so on. Protecting and improving the ecology can contribute greatly to the environmental quality of our increasingly urbanised world and, as a growing body of evidence shows, can improve the health, wellbeing and productivity of building users.

−	However, ecology is a complex and highly interrelated discipline. Ecological practice has developed rapidly over recent years and it is important that BREEAM keeps up to date with best practice in a practical and achievable way. Without a clear forward looking strategy, opportunities to conserve and enhance a site’s ecological value can be missed, and measures taken to add ecological value may not perform as well as expected.	+	However, ecology is a complex and highly-interrelated discipline. Ecological practice has developed rapidly over recent years and it is important that BREEAM keeps up to date with best practice in a practical and achievable way. Without a clear forward looking strategy, opportunities to conserve and enhance a site’s ecological value can be missed, and measures taken to add ecological value may not perform as well as expected.

	= Strategic approach =		= Strategic approach =

−	With that in mind and following extensive feedback from a wide range of stakeholders~~, including ecology and landscape professionals and others commonly engaged with BREEAM assessments~~, the ~~BRE~~ team behind BREEAM concluded that the scheme should take a more strategic approach to encouraging high ecological standards.	+	With that in mind, and following extensive feedback from a wide range of stakeholders, the team behind BREEAM concluded that the scheme should take a more strategic approach to encouraging high ecological standards.

−	The treatment of ecology in UK BREEAM schemes has ~~therefore~~ been extensively reviewed in order to develop a Strategic Ecology Framework (SEF) for improving and evaluating the ecological performance of buildings, assets and developments. The key aims of the SEF are to help project teams to:	+	The treatment of ecology in UK BREEAM schemes has been extensively reviewed in order to develop a Strategic Ecology Framework (SEF) for improving and evaluating the ecological performance of buildings, assets and developments. The key aims of the SEF are to help project teams:

	* Understand the existing ecology of a site to identify the best approach.		* Understand the existing ecology of a site to identify the best approach.
Line 21:		Line 21:
	* Remove or limit existing features that are negatively affecting the site’s ecology.		* Remove or limit existing features that are negatively affecting the site’s ecology.
	* Mitigate unavoidable impacts and compensate against residual impacts.		* Mitigate unavoidable impacts and compensate against residual impacts.
−	* Enhance the ecological value of ~~the site~~ and surrounding areas by encouraging other ecological features.	+	* Enhance the ecological value of sites and surrounding areas by encouraging other ecological features.

−	Peter Johnson, Group Environmental Manager of the Kier Group, which participated in developing the SEF said:	+	Peter Johnson, Group Environmental Manager of the Kier Group, which participated in developing the SEF said, “The new Strategic Ecology Framework will significantly contribute to strengthening the important role ecology now plays in the built environment, particularly in the areas of health and wellbeing and infrastructure services, and will ensure that effective long-term maintenance and monitoring programmes are put in place.”
−		+
−	“The new Strategic Ecology Framework will significantly contribute to strengthening the important role ecology now plays in the built environment, particularly in the areas of health and wellbeing and infrastructure services, and will ensure that effective long-term maintenance and monitoring programmes are put in place.”	+

	= Consulting the stakeholders =		= Consulting the stakeholders =

−	Before drafting the SEF, the BREEAM team ~~extensively~~ consulted with wide ranging stakeholders, including ecologists, landscape architects, policy makers, specifiers, contractors and BREEAM assessors. More than 150 responses to an online survey were considered in preparing the SEF’s draft scope, which was refined by stakeholder focus groups and then distributed to the BREEAM assessor network for comment.	+	Before drafting the SEF, the BREEAM team consulted with wide ranging stakeholders, including; ecologists, landscape architects, policy makers, specifiers, contractors and BREEAM assessors. More than 150 responses to an online survey were considered in preparing the SEF’s draft scope, which was refined by stakeholder focus groups and then distributed to the BREEAM assessor network for comment.

−	The ~~finalised~~ Strategic Ecology Framework, the first document of its type to be developed for BREEAM, is launched ~~this month~~.	+	The final Strategic Ecology Framework, the first document of its type to be developed for BREEAM, is launched in May 2016.

−	~~“The launch of the SEF provides a significant shift in how future BREEAM methodologies will be updated,” says~~ Ben Kimpton Principle Ecologist of The Ecology consultancy, which has been working with BRE since 2007 as part of the task groups set up to advise on biodiversity.	+	Ben Kimpton Principle Ecologist of The Ecology consultancy, which has been working with BRE since 2007 as part of the task groups set up to advise on biodiversity, said, “The launch of the SEF provides a significant shift in how future BREEAM methodologies will be updated. It has been designed in consultation with a broad range of stakeholders in both the landscape and ecology sectors. As such, it promotes more collaborative work within design teams and takes account of current approaches on how to deliver high quality environmental and sustainable features in a robust yet pragmatic way. The construction industry and our clients are set to benefit from these changes.”
−		+
−	~~“It~~ has been designed in consultation with a broad range of stakeholders in both the landscape and ecology sectors. As such, it promotes more collaborative work within design teams and takes account of current approaches on how to deliver high quality environmental and sustainable features in a robust yet pragmatic way. The construction industry and our clients are set to benefit from these changes.”	+

	= How it works =		= How it works =
Line 41:		Line 37:
	Whilst the SEF does not itself present ecological assessment criteria, it provides a framework of common objectives and actions to guide and align their development.		Whilst the SEF does not itself present ecological assessment criteria, it provides a framework of common objectives and actions to guide and align their development.

−	All BREEAM schemes are regularly reviewed and updated to ensure ~~that~~ they remain in line with new developments, evolving legislation and feedback from users, and continue to drive higher sustainability standards. The SEF will now be part of this process. It will guide the development of balanced ecology-related assessment criteria – which take account of real-world practicalities and the functionality of the building/asset being assessed – when the following UK schemes are updated:	+	All BREEAM schemes are regularly reviewed and updated to ensure they remain in line with new developments, evolving legislation and feedback from users, and continue to drive higher sustainability standards. The SEF will now be part of this process. It will guide the development of balanced ecology-related assessment criteria – which take account of real-world practicalities and the functionality of the building/asset being assessed – when the following UK schemes are updated:

	* BREEAM UK Communities.		* BREEAM UK Communities.
Line 52:		Line 48:
	The SEF has been designed to deliver assessment criteria which provide incentives that encourage project teams to consider ecology issues throughout a project’s design, construction and operational life cycle stages. Some aspects of the SEF will not be appropriate to all life cycle stages but relevance will be considered as each scheme is updated.		The SEF has been designed to deliver assessment criteria which provide incentives that encourage project teams to consider ecology issues throughout a project’s design, construction and operational life cycle stages. Some aspects of the SEF will not be appropriate to all life cycle stages but relevance will be considered as each scheme is updated.

−	The SEF is organised into six ~~Tasks~~, each accompanied by their objectives and supporting detail to demonstrate how the objectives can be met~~. The six Tasks cover~~	+	The SEF is organised into six tasks, each accompanied by their objectives and supporting detail to demonstrate how the objectives can be met:

	* Assessing and evaluating the site’s existing ecological value and condition.		* Assessing and evaluating the site’s existing ecological value and condition.
Line 63:		Line 59:
	Initial response to the SEF has been positive. A ‘renewed and integrated vision to measure the environmental, social and commercial benefits of green infrastructure, promoting the enhancement of the ecological value of projects’ is how Rita Margarido of Canary Wharf Contractors, one of the stakeholders in the project, describes the SEF.		Initial response to the SEF has been positive. A ‘renewed and integrated vision to measure the environmental, social and commercial benefits of green infrastructure, promoting the enhancement of the ecological value of projects’ is how Rita Margarido of Canary Wharf Contractors, one of the stakeholders in the project, describes the SEF.

−	Helen Newman, Senior Associate of Tuffin Ferraby Taylor, also a stakeholder, said:	+	Helen Newman, Senior Associate of Tuffin Ferraby Taylor, also a stakeholder, said, “The new Strategic Ecology Framework is a significantly more considered and holistic approach, which should better reflect the complexity of practical and commercial considerations, and professional judgement in benchmarking ecology. The SEF also recognises the diverse range of interrelated benefits associated with enhancing biodiversity within the built environment including health and wellbeing, air quality and surface water attenuation. We look forward to seeing how the SEF is translated into BREEAM credit requirements and anticipate a more effective method for benchmarking ecological value and recognising biodiversity design improvements.”
−		+
−	“The new Strategic Ecology Framework is a significantly more considered and holistic approach, which should better reflect the complexity of practical and commercial considerations, and professional judgement in benchmarking ecology.	+
−		+
−	~~“The~~ SEF also recognises the diverse range of interrelated benefits associated with enhancing biodiversity within the built environment including health and wellbeing, air quality and surface water attenuation. We look forward to seeing how the SEF is translated into BREEAM credit requirements and anticipate a more effective method for benchmarking ecological value and recognising biodiversity design improvements.”	+

	Further information on the SEF can be found at [http://www.breeam.com/sef www.breeam.com/sef].		Further information on the SEF can be found at [http://www.breeam.com/sef www.breeam.com/sef].