Sustainable by Design
We Are
Element Sustainability comprises qualified and talented environmental consultants with many years of collective experience. A dedicated team with a professional and personal concern for the environment we are committed to delivering a personable, professional service backed by in-depth technical knowledge throughout the development cycle – from planning, design, construction and beyond.
We Aim
At Element Sustainability, we seek to limit the impact of our collective actions upon the environment. We promote sustainable development practices, both throughout your project and in our own operations. Our fundamental aim is to ensure that we all benefit from an enhanced built environment and secure a sustainable future for everyone.
We Do
We meet these objectives by providing a broad range of technical services that enable us to measure sustainability performance, and by giving helpful, straightforward advice and guidance. Our job is to decipher technical issues on your behalf and to determine financially viable and technically feasible solutions to meet your sustainability and compliance targets.
We Work
We work hard to maintain our qualifications and accreditations and to keep up to date with industry developments so that we always provide accurate and relevant advice. Through everything we do, we aspire to improve understanding of sustainability issues within the construction industry in a helpful and proactive way.
News and Debate
BREEAM New Construction: Residential is Here!
Today (16th April 2025) the BRE have released BREEAM New Construction: Residential V.6.1 (UKNCR V6.1). UKNCR V6.1 will now supersede HQM V6 as the current BREEAM assessment for new homes in the UK. Should you have an active new construction residential project with Element Sustainability, this will remain on the HQM version it was registered with. The update focuses on delivering a greater recognition and credibility for domestic new construction through integrating with BREEAM and streamlining the certification process. The majority of issues have remained consistent with HQM V6 with some minor changes noted for evidence requirements and definitions. However, significant changes are noted to the following two issues. Issue 4.2 – Natural Light Previously referred to as daylighting in
Changes to BREEAM Fees
The BRE have announced that they will be increasing prices for their registration, QA and certification fees across a number of schemes from 1st May 2025. This increase will be approximately: The existing fees can be locked in with the current prices where your schemes are registered before 1st May 2025. So, the last date for registration with the current fees is the 30th April 2025. For more information as to how this may affect your BREEAM assessments please contact a member of the team who will be happy to discuss this further.
Global Recycling Day
For those who don’t know, today is the Global Recycling Day 2025! It is a day dedicated to recognising and promoting recycling as a solution for sustainable waste. Global Recycling Day originated at the Bureau of International Recycling (BIR) Convention in Dubai in 2015. It was introduced by Ranjit Baxi FRSA who has been donned as the ‘king of recycling’! Recycling is the process of collecting materials like paper, cardboard, plastic and glass so they can be turned into new products. This gives old materials a new life instead of sending them to landfill. On this day we ask that whilst recycling is to be done wherever possible, it is also important to:
Happy Birthday Cooper!
Please join us in wishing a very Happy 13th Birthday to our chocolate Labrador, and chief morale officer, Cooper! He has spent the day celebrating with an extra long nap and a as well as a few biscuits and other tasty treats.
Home Quality Mark Update
Exciting news just in from the BRE! From April 2025 Home Quality Mark (used to assess newbuild domestic properties) will transition to BREEAM UK New Construction: Residential which will strengthen the schemes alignment within BREEAM’s globally recognised framework. The transition will incorporate a minor scheme update which is set to enhance the daylight assessment criteria and embodied carbon assessments as well as a revised schedule of evidence tables for improved clarity. The transition will come into effect from April 2025. For existing active projects, their registration on BREEAM projects to either HQM One or HQM V6 will remain and will not be required to updated to the new scheme. Full details and guidance on the transition will be available from April 2025.
AN OUTSTANDING ACHIEVEMENT
Element Sustainability are delighted to confirm that the major refurbishment and new build extension works to the Havelock office building at 70 Great Bridgewater Street, Manchester has been certified as BREEAM ‘Outstanding’ at post-construction. The scheme comprised the strip back of the existing building to the frame, complete high specification Cat A refurbishment and upper floor extension to create additional office space. Havelock was created to offer flexible working environments with complimentary social, wellbeing and co-working spaces. The building has been designed to the highest possible standards to provide a sustainable work place, helping occupiers to meet their own ESG and Net Zero standards (https://havelockmcr.co.uk/sustainability/). Element Sustainability acted, not only as the Lead BREEAM Assessor but, also as the BREEAM
When to Contact Us
Early involvement in the development cycle allows us to advance your sustainability strategy and determine viable, deliverable solutions. Integrating sustainability criteria at the initial design stage is crucial in order to reduce costs, minimise the impact on the natural environment and realise your scheme’s potential.
The sooner you contact us the better! GET IN TOUCH TODAY
About Us
Established in 2011, Element Sustainability has enjoyed strong growth and has built a broad client list based on positive referrals. We have supported thousands of successful developments across the UK in achieving their sustainability and compliance targets.
Our core team is made up of experienced sustainability specialists including a number of licensed BREEAM Consultants, accredited energy assessors and site technicians.
Find out more about us on our Meet the Team page.
In addition to our core competencies, Element benefits from a number of strategic partnerships with skilled associates, enabling us to provide a reliable, turnkey sustainability package. For full details of our services, please visit our Consultancy pages.