BREEAM Standards and The Modern Warehouse

The declaration of a global climate emergency by the United Nations has sharpened the resolve of consumers and businesses to reduce their environmental impacts. As a result, the demand for sustainable development is at an all-time high. As businesses strive to reduce their ecological footprints, the adoption of BREEAM standards within the property development industry has become essential.

BREEAM standards are recognised globally as the benchmark for assessing the sustainability of building designs and construction practices. This comprehensive framework evaluates buildings across various sustainability criteria, ensuring that they meet high environmental, social, and economic performance standards.

Panattoni, a world leader in warehouse development, is delivering BREEAM certified space at huge scale across the UK and Europe. To find out more about BREEAM standards, why they are important, and how they are delivered, read on.

What Are BREEAM standards?

BREEAM (Building Research Establishment Environmental Assessment Method) is the world’s leading independent sustainability assessment method for master planning projects, infrastructure, and buildings.

First implemented in 1990, the BREEAM standards were developed by the Building Research Establishment (BRE) in the United Kingdom. They are recognised as the world’s first sustainability appraisal process for buildings. Since launch, certificates have been issued in 93 countries worldwide, with more than 600,000 buildings certified under the scheme.

BREEAM standards provide a framework for evaluating the lifecycle performance of buildings, from new construction to in-use operations and refurbishment. A building assessed under BREEAM standards is evaluated based on several key factors, including energy efficiency, water management, health and well-being, pollution control, transportation impacts, material use, waste management, ecological impact, and effective management practices.

The primary goal of BREEAM standards is to promote sustainable design and construction practices that reduce environmental impacts while enhancing the quality of life for occupants. By adhering to these rigorous standards, developers can ensure that their buildings are not only environmentally friendly but also economically viable and socially responsible.

What BREEAM ratings are available?

The tiers of BREEAM standards are as follows:

Pass (30% or more)

The “Pass” tier is the entry-level certification, indicating that a building has met the minimum BREEAM standards. It signifies that the building has achieved basic compliance with the sustainability criteria set out by BREEAM.

Good (45% or more)

A building certified as “Good” demonstrates that it has gone beyond the minimum requirements and has made some effort to enhance its sustainability performance. It reflects a moderate commitment to meeting BREEAM standards.

Very Good (55% or more)

The “Very Good” tier indicates a high level of sustainability performance. Buildings achieving this level have incorporated several best practices in design, construction, and operation, significantly exceeding the basic BREEAM standards.

Excellent (70% or more)

The “Excellent” certification is awarded to buildings that exhibit outstanding sustainability performance. This tier is reserved for projects that have integrated advanced sustainability measures and have made significant strides in energy efficiency, water conservation, and other key areas of the BREEAM standards.

Outstanding (85% or more)

The highest tier, “Outstanding,” represents exceptional achievement in sustainable building design and construction. Buildings that earn this certification are considered pioneers in sustainability, having incorporated innovative solutions to meet and surpass the stringent BREEAM standards.

Why are BREEAM standards important?

BREEAM certification is critically important to developers, occupiers, and investors for several reasons.

Developers

The escalating tiers of BREEAM standards serve as a roadmap for developers designing and building sustainable buildings.

For developers committed to sustainability, BREEAM certification is a way to demonstrate leadership in sustainable construction practices. It aligns with corporate social responsibility goals and can enhance the developer’s reputation.

Many regions are increasingly adopting stricter environmental regulations. BREEAM certification ensures that developments meet or exceed these requirements, reducing the risk of non-compliance and potential penalties.

BREEAM certification also helps developers stand out in a competitive market. Buildings that achieve BREEAM standards are recognised for their high environmental performance, making them more attractive to potential buyers and tenants.

Occupiers

The tiered BREEAM certification offers an extremely easy method for occupiers to compare one development with another.

BREEAM-certified buildings are designed to be energy-efficient, leading to reduced utility costs for heating, cooling, water, and electricity. Occupiers benefit from lower operating expenses, which can be significant over the life of a lease.

BREEAM standards emphasise factors like air quality, natural lighting, and thermal comfort, which contribute to a healthier and more productive work environment. Occupiers can expect better employee well-being and satisfaction, potentially leading to higher productivity and reduced absenteeism.

Many companies have their own sustainability targets. Occupying a BREEAM-certified building allows them to meet these goals more easily, improving their environmental footprint and enhancing their brand’s sustainability credentials.

Investors

BREEAM standards can increase the market value of a property. Investors view BREEAM-certified buildings as lower-risk, higher-value assets due to their appeal to high-quality tenants and reduced operational costs.

As sustainability becomes more integral to real estate, BREEAM certification helps ensure that a building remains attractive and relevant in the future market. This futureproofing is crucial for long-term investment strategies.

High-profile, sustainability-conscious companies often seek out BREEAM-certified buildings. For investors, owning such properties can attract premium tenants, leading to better occupancy rates and potentially higher rental yields.

BREEAM certification mitigates environmental risks associated with real estate investments. By adhering to stringent environmental standards, certified buildings are less likely to incur costs related to environmental damage or non-compliance with future regulations.

How are BREEAM requirements applied in practice?

The BREEAM standards certification process involves several steps, from project planning and design through to construction and operation. Here’s how it works.

Registration

The first step is to register the building project with the Building Research Establishment (BRE). This officially begins the BREEAM standards assessment process.

Assessment Criteria

The project team identifies the specific sustainability goals they wish to achieve. BREEAM assesses buildings across multiple categories, including:

• Energy
• Water
• Health and Well-being
• Pollution
• Transport
• Materials
• Waste
• Land Use and Ecology
• Management

Each category has a set of criteria that are used to evaluate the building’s performance.

Design Stage Assessment

During the design phase, an accredited BREEAM assessor evaluates the planned building against BREEAM standards. This includes reviewing design documents, materials specifications, and proposed sustainability strategies.

Based on the design, the project is awarded a preliminary BREEAM rating, which can help guide further design decisions to improve sustainability outcomes.

Construction Stage Assessment

As the building is constructed, the BREEAM assessor continues to monitor and evaluate the project to ensure that the design stage commitments are being met. This includes site visits, inspections, and reviewing documentation to verify compliance with BREEAM standards.

The project team submits final evidence to the BREEAM assessor, demonstrating how the building meets the required sustainability criteria.

Post-Construction Review

Once construction is complete, a final assessment is conducted. This stage verifies that the completed building aligns with the design and construction plans and meets the BREEAM standards.

The building is then awarded a final BREEAM rating, which reflects its overall sustainability performance.

Certification

After the final review, BRE issues a BREEAM certificate, officially recognising the building’s sustainability achievements. The certificate includes the building’s BREEAM rating and details the points scored in each assessment category.

In-Use Assessment

For buildings in operation, BREEAM offers an optional “In-Use” assessment to evaluate their performance over time. This helps ensure that the building continues to meet BREEAM standards and maintain its sustainability credentials.

Panattoni and BREEAM standards

As a global leader in the industrial logistics warehousing sector, Panattoni has embraced BREEAM standards as a core component of its development strategy. Our warehouses are meticulously designed and constructed to achieve high BREEAM ratings, reflecting our dedication to sustainability and environmental stewardship. Highly efficient building envelopes, allied to the integration of advanced technologies such as energy-efficient lighting, renewable solar energy, and EV chargers, ensures that our buildings rank highly against BREEAM standards.

Panattoni’s commitment to these standards also translate into tangible benefits for our clients. Our BREEAM-certified warehouses offer lower operational costs, healthier working environments, and the ability to meet corporate sustainability targets. This alignment with BREEAM standards allows us to deliver value while contributing to the global sustainability movement.

Every new development by Panattoni UK, such as our industrial units in Bristol, are designed to achieve a minimum BREEAM ‘Excellent’ rating.

Building a sustainable future with BREEAM standards

Panattoni remains focused on leading the industry towards more sustainable practices. Our alignment with BREEAM standards is central to our long-term vision of creating high-performing, cost-effective, and environmentally responsible warehouses. By continuing to innovate and invest in sustainable construction practices, we aim to address global challenges such as climate change, resource scarcity, and environmental degradation.

At Panattoni, we believe that the buildings we construct today have the power to shape a better tomorrow. Through our commitment to BREEAM standards, we are building a sustainable future for us all – one warehouse at a time.