What is new in BREEAM New Construction V7?

KEY ADDITIONS IN VERSION 7:

Enhanced guidance on net zero carbon strategies:

Reductions in operational, refrigerant, and transport emissions that span the entire building life cycle. This change is in line with the global drive to achieve zero carbon buildings and as BREEAM moves towards decarbonization.

Updated energy performance benchmarks:

To better reflect current decarbonization strategies, BREEAM V7 is updating its energy credits. The focus has shifted from measuring demand to performance results, offering greater flexibility in compliance methods.

Minimum standards:

Several new Minimum Standards have been introduced, focussing on ensuring BREEAM Excellent and Outstanding buildings address the full scope of Whole Life Carbon. To continue to encourage improvements in sustainability across the built environment, therefore there are no new minimum standards for a BREEAM Pass rating. There are also new Health and Wellbeing Minimum Standards for Daylighting, and buildings will be required to have a Smoking ban in place, where it is not already prohibited by law.

Consistency with the classification criteria of the EU taxonomy:

Version 7 will comply with the legislative requirements of the European Union, in particular the taxonomy of sustainable activities. The new version emphasizes the alignment of the certification criteria with the EU's climate and environmental objectives, making it easier for developers and investors to comply with European regulations and increasing confidence in certified projects.

Greater alignment with other BREEAM schemes:

The new version will be better aligned with BREEAM In-Use, ensuring an easier transition for projects seeking to maintain sustainability certification throughout the whole building lifecycle. This alignment benefits both developers and property managers by creating a more holistic framework for sustainable practices from initial construction through to long-term operation and management.

BREEAM rating boundaries:

To continue to harmonize between the different phases of the BREEAM lifecycle, helping clients to close the performance gap and promote sustainability across the built environment, V7 will begin to align the assessment boundaries. This will happen in 2 stages, firstly BREEAM V7 new construction boundaries have been adjusted to provide consistent gaps between the ratings, bringing Pass and Good ratings down by 5%. Second, in BREEAM In-Use the Acceptable rating will be removed for V7, and the Pass rating boundary aligned with New Construction in two steps over V7 and V8.

The beta version of the BREEAM International New Construction Version 7 (V7) Technical Manual is now available on the BRE Group's official website (https://bregroup.com/news/breeam-new-construction-version-7-technical-manual-now-available-for-feedback) for preview.