The pre-release of the BREEAM New Construction V7 technical manual has just landed. The main highlights are as follows:
- Greater convergence with other BREEAM schemes,
- Enhanced guidance on net zero carbon strategies,
- Updated energy performance benchmarks,
- Updated LCA criteria and benchmarks,
- Improved support for operational energy modelling, and,
- Alignment with EU taxonomy classification criteria.
This update aims to ensure that BREEAM’s building assessment, benchmarking, and certification criteria remain aligned with the latest scientific data on energy efficiency and net zero carbon, focusing on whole life carbon. Globally, buildings account for over 30% of global energy use and more than a quarter of emissions.
The feedback period will close on 30 September at 12am to provide time to incorporate any changes ahead of the full release later this year.