BREEAM USA In-Use: Residential Plus
[edit] Introduction
On 23 July 2020, BREEAM USA In-Use: Residential Plus was launched. This component of BREEAM USA In-Use is designed specifically for multifamily assets pursuing financial incentives that are linked to minimum energy performance requirements.
Certification under the Residential Plus programme requires that a multifamily asset achieves a 20% or greater reduction in energy use over a fixed baseline and also achieves a score of 55% or better along with other minimum standards. The programme stands as part of the broader BREEAM USA In-Use program, with certification offered for commercial and residential properties not specifically pursuing financial incentives.
[edit] Expansion highlights
Residential Plus builds on BREEAM USA In-Use to Version 6, which saw the expansion of the programme to include residential as well as commercial assets. BREEAM USA In-Use Version 6 includes an increased focus on climate change adaptation and mitigation as well as a resilience category. This category integrates resilience with environmental performance and occupant health and wellbeing at the asset level, meaning this update will consider past environmental performance and encourage the protection of the asset’s environmental and financial performance in the future.
Similarly, Version 6 has woven social impact into the standard, reflecting the social and economic benefits of meeting environmental objectives. This encourages asset resilience and overall sustainability that are deeply connected to the resilience and sustainability of the communities in which they are located, including direct references to the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals. BREEAM is the first rating system to incorporate these elements, alongside Environmental Performance, into a single platform with a focus on existing buildings.
Shamir Ghumra, BREEAM Director, said: “The launch of the Residential Plus programme gives financiers, homeowners and occupants even more confidence in the energy performance of their properties. We have engaged with the market to deliver something that is going to be a significant game changer for BREEAM in the USA and deliver sustainable value for all.”
Information about the Residential Plus programme and the associated technical standards are available to download at no cost from www.breeam.com/usa.
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