Ecology in BREEAM, CEEQUAL and HQM – Updating and Expanding the Approach
Bulletin of the Chartered Institute of Ecology and Environmental Management (CIEEM) – December 2018
This joint article by CIEEM and BRE provides a summary of the development of BREEAM’s Strategic Ecology Framework (SEF). Published in 2016, the SEF sets out the strategy for assessing ecology in the BREEAM family of schemes and it is now in the process of being implemented into the individual certification schemes. This article in particular summarises how and why a wide range of industry stakeholders came together to collaborate on a review of BREEAM’s existing approach to assessing ecology-related impacts and opportunities, and the resulting development of the SEF and a new method for calculating the change in ecological value.
UN Sustainable Development Goals and the BREEAM Family of Standards and Tools
On 1 January 2016, the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), which were adopted by world leaders in September 2015, came into force. The 17 SDGs apply to all countries with the aim to end poverty, protect the planet and ensure prosperity for all by 2030 as part of a new sustainable development agenda. To achieve the SDGs, all aspects of society, from government to the private sector to the general public, will need to play their part. The construction and property sector will have an essential role in delivering the SDGs and their associated targets, given the significant economic, environmental and social impacts and benefits associated with construction products, buildings and infrastructure throughout their lifecycles.
We are delighted to support the SDGs and will continue to evolve the BREEAM family of standards and tools to enable significant contributions towards meeting the SDGs. BREEAM has produced an infographic (opposite) that demonstrates how and where the BREEAM family of standards and tools support each of the 17 SDGs
Health & Wellbeing Strategy
The health and wellbeing of occupants and other users lies at the heart of any ethical and sustainable approach to the design, construction and management of the built environment.
BREEAM provides market differentiation for buildings that reflect best practice across a range of sustainability issues. Its aim is to empower change through assessing, rewarding sustainability throughout the built environment both in the UK and globally.
BREEAM UK Strategic Ecology Framework
This document sets out the aims and detail of BREEAM UK’s Strategic Ecology Framework (SEF), which has been developed to help inform and guide the future direction of ecological and related assessment criteria in BREEAM schemes.
It has been published to enable those working in the built environment to better understand the basis of BREEAM evaluations, and to take account of this in their future planning.
Implementing the Strategic Ecology Framework in BREEAM
This short video explains the relevance of ecology to BREEAM standards and the opportunities now provided by the new Strategic Ecology Framework (SEF). It is designed to stimulate your input to the implementation of the SEF and the evolution of ecology in BREEAM.
Find out more about the Strategic Ecology Framework Consultation here.
Strategic approach to the selection and procurement of construction materials and products
The selection and procurement of construction materials makes a major contribution to the life cycle impacts of a building across the environmental, social and economic aspects of sustainability. Much is talked about materials selection and many sources of information are available mostly at the level of an individual material. BREEAM seeks to encourage the whole building consideration of materials through the use of robust and science based approaches during the design and procurement of buildings, infrastructure and others aspects of the built environment.
