BREEAM's key principles
The BREEAM certification is achieved through third-party certification where environmental, social, economic and sustainability performance are assessed.
Environmental
Within the environmental dimension, BREEAM is mainly focused on resources and the environmental impact of materials.
Social
Within the social dimension, BREEAM is mainly focused on the indoor climate and comfort of the user via BREEAM's health and well-being principles.
Economic
Within the economic dimension, BREEAM is mainly focused on the life cycle costing and adaptation strategies for future changes integrated in the design of the building.
What are the focus areas and main levers within each
Environmental
Resource - Reduce resource use through a Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) of building elements.
Environmental Impact (Reduce environmental impact through making a Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) of building elements. Reduce carbon emission from energy use).
Social
Indoor air quality (Minimise air pollution, emissions and harmful substances from building products and planning for an optimal indoor climate)
Control daylight, glare, views and light
Provide a good acoustic performance
Economic
Material efficiency - Life cycle costing to minimize costs over the lifetime of the building and stability of value, through the flexibility of a space.