Net zero buildings
BREEAM supports high performance building solutions for decarbonisation in the built environment to help achieve net zero by 2050 and limit global warming.
Start your sustainability journeyAchieving net zero with BREEAM
Our vision is for a built environment that rises to the challenge of the climate emergency. BREEAM supports the current and future generations in creating a resilient environment that meets its sustainability and commercial goals. BREEAM is a trusted framework used to develop and operate efficient, warm, and affordable assets to improve comfort, health and wellbeing of occupants.
We envision a built environment that plays a pivotal role in achieving net zero globally by 2050 and avoiding 1.5 degrees warming.
BREEAM supports solutions to decarbonisation in the built environment, real estate, and associated investments by:
Minimising carbon emissions in the new development, refurbishment, and operation of assets.
Providing assessment methodologies for carbon emissions, including embodied carbon.
Encouraging the use of onsite renewables and providing credits for energy and carbon reduction.
Providing third-party verification of carbon emission assessment.
Net zero in context
Climate context - Net zero buildings
To avoid catastrophic impacts of climate change, the 2016 Paris Agreement stated that we must limit global warming to 1.5°C. This was re-iterated at COP26, where the Glasgow Climate Pact had countries agree to revisit and strengthen emissions targets for 2030. The Glasgow Climate Pact only keeps 1.5C in sight if countries take concerted and immediate action to deliver on their commitments. Achieving net zero buildings is essential to reaching this target, which means considerable changes in society, the economy and our relationship with the environment, such as:
- High-performance net zero buildings, improving energy efficiency, and reducing energy demand.
- Switching to sustainable mobility including public transport and ultra-low emissions vehicles.
- Reducing land based emissions, and regenerating biodiverse landscapes for nature and climate.
- Utilising the potential for renewable heating and electricity to meet our energy needs.
What is a net zero building?
A net zero building is designed to produce as much energy as it consumes over the course of a year. This is achieved through a combination of energy efficiency measures and renewable energy sources.
Net zero is the internationally agreed upon goal for mitigating climate change and keeping warming to 1.5 °C. Net zero refers to a state in which the greenhouse gases going into the atmosphere are balanced by removal out of the atmosphere.
All definitions of net zero carbon require for reducing emissions before offsetting them. This means reducing carbon emissions, including in-direct embodied carbon known as Scope 3 emissions, prior to offsetting through carbon removals.
Net zero buildings with BREEAM
Minimisation of carbon emissions through BREEAM
BREEAM certification focuses on reducing carbon emissions, while improving buildings energy efficiency with about 50% of its credits aimed at these goals. It promotes sustainability by minimising energy demand and emissions throughout a building's lifecycle, from construction to operation and end-of-life. Key strategies include accurate measurement of energy use and emissions, surpassing energy performance benchmarks, improving building fabric and services, using on-site renewables, and efficient energy management. It also emphasises reducing embodied carbon in materials, maximising recycled and reused materials, and minimising emissions from water use and refrigerant gases. BREEAM is a crucial tool for achieving and demonstrating net zero carbon status.
Embodied carbon emissions & BREEAM assessments
Accurately measuring and reporting on embodied carbon is one of the main challenges faced in achieving net zero carbon buildings. BREEAM assesses embodied carbon and encourages the construction of assets with lower embodied carbon and lower whole life carbon.
BREEAM intends to combine operational and embodied carbon credits into a dedicated carbon category. This will help demonstrate to stakeholders that embodied carbon is fully accounted for in BREEAM and that it needs to be considered alongside operational carbon to achieve an optimum outcome overall. We are developing this through consultation within our net zero carbon technical working group.
Renewable energy and BREEAM assessments
In line with prevailing energy and LCA standards, BREEAM includes onsite/near-site renewables. In addition, most (but not all) standards, including BREEAM, assign carbon reductions resulting from any renewable electricity that is exported to the grid by the asset. Therefore, assets can become carbon positive if they generate more electricity than they use. BREEAM will continue to recognise and reward onsite/near-site renewables.
Net zero in construction and real estate
We are introducing a dedicated module that harnesses your existing BREEAM data as part of an efficient process towards meeting multiple leading standards. The diagram below illustrates how core asset carbon performance data from a BREEAM assessment can be utilised by an organisation aiming for net zero carbon, with the net zero module providing a seamless add-on to fast-track this journey.
Net zero in construction and real estate
To help visualise what the net zero carbon module might look like, the diagram below illustrates how core asset carbon performance data from a BREEAM assessment may be utilised by an organisation wishing to operate an asset as net zero carbon, with the net zero module providing a seamless add on, fast-tracking your journey to net zero carbon.
Train with BREEAM
Train with us to provide built environment sustainability solutions and learn how to support projects in achieving their net zero goals.
The starting point for your sustainability learning journey, this online course introduces climate change, the drivers for achieving net zero carbon, what this means, and how organisations can apply it in practice.
Find out more about net zero carbon foundations training
Get in touch
For more information, call us on +443330147880, email us at enquiries@bregroup.com or use the online form.
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