Building back better with BREEAM
Contents |
[edit] Introduction
The COVID-19 pandemic has caused an unprecedented public health crisis and the most significant economic shock since the Great Depression, exposing weaknesses in our economy and society. It has also demonstrated what society can achieve by working for a common goal against a common threat.
Demand for a return to a better normal is increasing with the spotlight being shone on global issues - the impending threat of climate change being most prevalent. Without action, the global climate change crisis will cause social and economic damage far greater than those caused by COVID-19.
Together, buildings and construction are responsible for 39% of all carbon emissions. We must build back better.
BREEAM is well placed to help the built environment achieve this in a meaningful way. BREEAM was the world’s first sustainability rating, and BREEAM standards are tailored to address the unique aspects of each life cycle stage in the built environment. BREEAM standards support investors, developers, clients and stakeholders to deliver and validate the sustainability value of their assets and, in doing so, create higher values and lower risks. BREEAM works by bringing multiple disciplines together to focus on one common, holistic framework. It sets performance levels to support a consistent method and offers tradeable and flexibility.
[edit] The BREEAM Building Back Better Hub
BREEAM has been considering its role and responsibility in the effort to build back better. BREEAM’s contribution can be explored in the overarching briefing hub ‘Building Back Better with BREEAM: Supporting the green recovery’.
This resource serves to provide an overview of the various environmental, economic and social issues that BREEAM addresses. The BREEAM position on each of these issues will be detailed in specific briefing papers that will be released over time as the organisation works through the COVID-19 challenge.
The specific topic areas include:
- Net Zero Carbon
- Circular Economy
- Health
- Social Impact
- Resilience
- Natural Environment
- Quality and Whole Life Performance
Find out more at: https://www.breeam.com/building-back-better/.
[edit] Related articles on Designing Buildings Wiki
- BRE articles on Designing Buildings Wiki.
- BREEAM Awards 2021.
- BREEAM Life cycle cost and service life planning.
- BREEAM: The Next Generation.
- Building Back Better: Health.
- Building Back Better: Net zero carbon and BREEAM.
- Building Back Better: Resilience.
- Building Back Better: Social impact.
- Circular economy.
- Health in the built environment.
- Natural environment.
- Net zero carbon 2050.
- Resilience.
- Social Sustainability at Master-planning Stage.
- Whole life costs.
[edit] External resources
Featured articles and news
Heat pump announcements, what homeowners need to know
An 'ultimate guide to heat pumps' from a heating company.
Construction contract awards reach £7.1bn in February
Their highest level in seven months.
The journey to sustainability in heritage
Research is the key to better understanding.
Heritage approaches to adaptation, mitigation and loss.
Bridging the gap between policy, finance and installation.
Development on brownfield land
Definition, background, policy and the latest consultation.
With the Design Framework for Building Services.
Retrofit of Buildings, a CIOB Technical Publication
Pertinent technical issues, measures and the roles involved.
ECA joins HSE campaign to support mental health
Working Minds’ five simple steps based on risk assessment.
Mental health in the construction industry
Mental health issues in brief with related articles.
Transitional arrangements, Building Control and the BSR.
For pre-October buildings with substantial progress by April.
How to write an inspection and test plan
ITPs for quality control and assurance particular elements.
Why quality counts in domestic ventilation systems
From products, to systems to the installation.
Empowering the Future with CIOB Academy
Lifelong learning, upscaling, and reskilling for the built environment.
Winners of the 2024 ASBP Awards
Project, Product and Initiative according to the 6 pillars.