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.
In 2020 we expanded our work around the SDGs and reviewed the portfolio of BREEAM schemes and their applicability to the UN SDGs at an indicator level. The interactive webpage allows users to explore the different SDG goals and quickly understand how and where BREEAM criteria supports the built environment in achieving these goals. This will enable those assessing their assets to the BREEAM schemes to easily map and demonstrate how their assets are being designed, constructed and operated in a way that supports the aims of the SDGs.
We have also developed a free downloadable pdf that explains the context of the BREEAM schemes in relation to the SDGs and provides a high level overview of the synergies between the schemes and various SDGs goals.