When we talk about sustainability and reducing carbon footprints in the realm of real estate, it is common that you hear the term 'green building'. Even if you are not in the construction business, you might be aware of the concept of sustainable structure and green certifications for buildings, such as BREEAM certification. These systems evaluate buildings according to the efficiency with which they use natural resources and their overall impact on human health and the environment.
The two prominent certifications that stand out are LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) and BREEAM (Building Research Establishment Environmental Assessment Method). These certifications set the standard for environmentally friendly construction methods, but which one is best for your project, and how do they differ? So that you may make an informed choice, let's compare LEED and BREEAM in more detail.
What is LEED certification?
The U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) created LEED, a worldwide renowned green building certification system. It offers a framework for evaluating and honoring the energy and atmosphere, materials and resources, indoor environmental quality, innovative design, sustainable locations, and, among other areas, the sustainability performance of the buildings.
The United States is where LEED certification is most commonly utilized, but it has become quite popular and extensively adopted all around the world, especially in places like Europe, Canada, and Asia.
How does it work? Under LEED, projects are graded using a point-based system, with points given based on how well a project adheres to LEED's definition of sustainable construction principles. Projects are ranked on a scale by LEED, where Platinum denotes the highest level of sustainability and Green denotes sufficient.
80+ points for LEED Platinum Certification. 60 and 79 points for LEED Gold Certification. 50 to 59 points for LEED Silver Certification. 40 to 49 points for certified or basic LEED Green Certification.
What is BREEAM certification?
BREEAM stands for Building Research Establishment Environmental Assessment Method. BREEAM, the first green building standard in the world, was developed by the Building Research Establishment in the United Kingdom in 1990. It was developed nearly ten years before LEED.
Similar to LEED, BREEAM adopts a holistic approach, assessing a building's sustainability based on a wide range of factors, such as energy efficiency, the building's impact on nearby ecosystems, the use of green building materials, the design's durability, life-cycle resilience, biodiversity protection, and the steps taken to reduce carbon emissions during the building process.
Utilized in more than 89 countries, BREEAM is an international green building rating system that has certified over 600,000 completed construction projects globally. Millions more projects are apparently registered on the first leg of their trip toward BREEAM accreditation.
How does it work? Projects must be evaluated by a certified BREEAM assessor in order to receive BREEAM accreditation. The assessor assigns credits, which are subsequently translated into percentages based on how well the building performs across a range of sustainability measures for it to be a BREEAM-certified building.
A structure's performance at the time of the assessor's evaluation determines whether buildings receive BREEAM accreditation. A project's grade on a BREEAM certification scale from Pass to Outstanding indicates the degree of certification it receives.
- Exceptional: 85% or higher
- Outstanding: 70%
- Excellent: ≥ 55%
- Excellent: 45% or higher.
- Pass: less than thirty
BREEAM includes five green building standards for a variety of project types:
BREEAM New Construction: A method for evaluating the sustainability of recently built structures.
BREEAM Fit Out and Refurbishment: Used to assess how sustainable building renovations or refurbishments are.
BREEAM In-Use: To grade the operational sustainability of existing buildings.
BREEAM Communities: Used to assess how sustainable new community-scale projects' master planning and design are.
BREEAM Infrastructure: is a tool used to evaluate the sustainability of civil engineering and infrastructure projects.
The following areas—environmental social governance ([ESG](https://sclera.com/resources/blogs/understanding-esg-the-path-to-ethical-business-practices)), carbon emissions, health and social impact, circularity and resilience, and whole-life performance—are where BREEAM standards can assist projects in achieving their sustainability objectives and be called BREEAM-certified buildings.
Use Cases of Building Automation System (BAS)
If we look at the big picture, LEED and BREEAM have many similarities. Both are internationally recognized green certifications for buildings that have certified thousands of buildings worldwide, covering everything from waste reduction to the impact on local ecosystems.
There are, however, a few differences, which we will discuss below:
| Distinctions | LEED | BREEAM |
|---|---|---|
| 1.Geographical focus | LEED is more prevalent in the United States and North America. | BREEAM is widely adopted in Europe and internationally. |
| 2.Scoring focus | LEED uses a point-based system, where projects earn credits across different categories to achieve certification levels. | BREEAM utilizes a grading system, rating buildings on a scale from Pass to Outstanding. |
| 3.Criteria emphasis | LEED places a strong emphasis on energy efficiency and indoor environmental quality. | BREEAM focuses on a broader range of factors, including ecology, transport, and management processes. |
| 4.Certification process | The applicant collects and submits evidence to achieve certification. | Certifications are presented after an assessment of the project is completed by a BREEAM assessor. |
| 5.Deployment | Used in over 190 countries. | Used in over 89 countries. |
Which Green Certification for Building Should You Choose?
Choosing any green certification for building standards is a matter of personal preference, and there is no specific answer as to which one is better. Both BREEAM and LEED offer valuable models for commercial property owners seeking to raise sustainability and environmental performance. As an owner, the deciding factor is what makes more sense for your building vision, company goals, and local market.
Project Location: Take into account your project's geographic setting. In North America, LEED may be a more well-known and widely accepted standard. For projects in Europe or beyond, BREEAM might be the best option, as it is better suited to UK legislation and standards.
Project Scope and Goals: Evaluate your project's particular sustainability goals and priorities. If energy efficiency and indoor air quality are your primary concerns, LEED would be a better choice; however, BREEAM might be more appropriate for projects that want to tackle sustainability holistically.
Certification Process: The applicant has to provide documentation and proof of certification worthiness in the case of LEED, whereas BREEAM assigns most of the heavy work to the licensed assessor.
Stakeholder Preferences: To learn about the preferences and requirements of clients, investors, and regulatory authorities concerning green building certifications, consult with stakeholders.
Bottom Line In the LEED vs. BREEAM debate, there isn't a universal solution. Both certifications, however slightly different in focus and evaluation standards, provide useful foundations for reaching sustainable building results. The decision between LEED and BREEAM ultimately comes down to the particulars of your project, including its objectives, goals, and stakeholders. You can choose the certification that best fits your sustainability goals and improves the overall environmental performance of your building by carefully weighing these aspects.
