How Accurately Does Breeam Measure Sustainability?

Abstract

The aim of this paper is to review the Building Research Establishment Environmental Assessment Method (BREEAM) in terms of how adequately it addresses sustainability. To achieve the aim, a literature review and semi-structured interviews with BREEAM assessors were conducted. Relevant literature has been reviewed to establish the meaning behind the concept of sustainability and to compare BREEAM with other environmental assessments in the built environment. An in-depth review of BREEAM and sustainability was then carried out through a series of semi structured interviews with seven experts in the field. It is concluded that BREEAM is an efficient tool in establishing the environmental performance of buildings through design and procurement. However it does not address the concept of sustainability in its entirety choosing to focus more on the environmental aspects. Some inconsistencies in its methods were also observed.