CEEQUAL

CEEQUAL assesses sustainability performance in civil engineering and public realm projects

CEEQUAL is the evidence-based sustainability assessment, rating and awards scheme for all types of civil engineering, infrastructure, landscaping and public realm projects. Launched in 2003, it was established to deliver improved specification, design and construction of works in those areas, and challenges and encourages people to adopt more sustainable living solutions. Project managers may be better able to recognise good sustainability outcomes the earlier they engage with the scheme.

CEEQUAL uses rigorous evidence-based assessment criteria and external verification to provide a result that can be made public and used in publicity. In addition, integration of CEEQUAL in the development of projects and contracts can positively influence design and construction management and often leads to significantly better outcomes than would otherwise have been the case.

The scheme can deliver:

More sustainable projects in civil engineering;
Performance improvements;
Better value and cost reductions;
Commitment to sustainability best practice;
Enhanced team collaboration and
Benchmarking and knowledge sharing.

Developed originally by a team led by the Institution of Civil Engineers (ICE) and financial support from the UK Government and ICE, the original development was managed by Crane Environmental with support from government departments and agencies. Leading civil engineering consultants and contractors, as well as industry associations, also supported the scheme’s development, including CIRIA, the Association for Consultancy and Engineering (ACE) and the Civil Engineering Contractors’ Association (CECA).

The scheme was launched following industry-wide consultation and trialling, and went public in June 2004 with the publication of Version 3 of the Assessment Manual for Projects. CEEQUAL has since become an accepted UK industry scheme for assessing environmental and sustainability performance in civil engineering and public realm projects.

In 2011, CEEQUAL for International Projects was launched, as was CEEQUAL for Term Contracts which made the methodology available for all civil engineering, infrastructure, landscaping and public realm works. CEEQUAL launched an upgraded and extended version 5 in summer 2012

In November 2015, CEEQUAL became part of the BRE Group and operates alongside BREEAM, another leading sustainability assessment method for buildings, master planning and infrastructure. The move gives CEEQUAL a clear association with the BREEAM family of schemes.

In June 2019, BRE Global launched CEEQUAL Version 6 to support infrastructure project teams’ sustainability goals. It combines the technical content of the CEEQUAL and BREEAM Infrastructure methodologies, and builds upon the well-proven processes of the CEEQUAL approach to assessment.

The launch of Version 6 marks the closure of both BREEAM Infrastructure (Pilot) and CEEQUAL Version 5 schemes. To aid transition, teams already working on CEEQUAL but who have not yet registered have until 30 September 2019 to register their projects to Version 5. Those who have already registered on these schemes are able to continue on them.

For more information see: CEEQUAL version 6.