What is BREEAM V7 and what does it mean for your business?

Also known as ‘Building Research Establishment Environmental Assessment Method’, BREEAM is a globally recognised environmental assessment method, and rating system for buildings.  

BREAAM V7, having been released, means a raft of changes that need to be implemented to ensure the sustainability performance of buildings and infrastructure projects follows the latest regulatory standards as closely as possible.

In this blog, the SOCOTEC experts break down the changes within BREAAM V7, how best your business needs to react to them, as well as the wider impact expected.

Where to start…

BREEAM V7 represents a significant update to the building certification process, aligning with global standards and incorporating new sustainability practices, with a large focus being placed on whole life carbon and energy performance. 

BREEAM V7 also acts to directly address ongoing issues, such as climate change, biodiversity, and human wellbeing challenges in construction.

New methodologies, credits and criteria have all been introduced, aiming to support a more holistic approach to sustainable building. 

There are four key areas of improvement, noted within BREEAM V7….

• Whole Life Carbon

Key to the new standards were a long overdue review of the full scope of whole life carbon. BREEAM V7 has an increased emphasis on carbon reporting and management and addressing both operational and embodied carbon throughout the entirety of the building lifecycle.

This means at each stage of a building's lifecycle, the total carbon impact of it will be assessed: from the use of materials in the construction process, to the impact of its operational footprint and, finally, in any future demolition scenarios.

V7 additionally looks more in-depth at the overall performance of a building, as opposed to just the specific processes and metrics used to create it. 

• Biodiversity Net Gain

The run to Net Zero takes a huge place of importance within BREEAM V7. The new benchmarks align with English Biodiversity Net Gain and global best practices, while there are additional methodologies set in place for sites with low/zero biodiversity baselines, with energy credits restricted to better reflect real-world performance and updated energy performance benchmarks.

The revised credit structure is as follows:

• ≥10% Biodiversity Change: 1 Credit
• ≥29% Biodiversity Change: 2 Credits
• ≥39% Biodiversity Change: 3 Credits
• ≥43% Biodiversity Change: 3 Credits + Exemplary

The growing importance of ecological considerations in building design and construction are now firmly in place too, with wholesale changes being made to enact change. As a result, there is updated climate resilience criteria to address extreme weather, helping buildings become more adaptable to a rapidly changing climate. 

In a move designed to address efficiency, a new credit requires projects to predict water consumption based on expected occupancy rather than standard occupancy, promoting a more accurate assessment of water needs and also adapting to societal changes.

• Integration and Alignment

BREEAM V7 aims to align with other reporting frameworks and regulations, such as the EU Taxonomy, helping building owners and developers to demonstrate compliance to one set of standards, rather than several. 

This ultimately looks to streamline reporting, through the alignment with internal and external reporting frameworks. In theory, this should provide more thorough data collection points, with the use of more robust and flexible tools. 

Mechanical, electrical, and plumbing (MEP) systems have now been explicitly incorporated into BREEAM V7’s embodied carbon assessments, addressing a critical, yet often overlooked, aspect of building sustainability. 

• Health and Wellbeing Focus

Another key component of BREEAM V7’s updates is a far greater recognition of how building design can impact the health and wellbeing of its occupants. It encourages developers to think and prioritise spaces that will benefit occupants in the long-term.

To achieve this, BREEAM v7 recommends new health and wellbeing standards, focusing on factors such as daylight, air quality and nearby access to nature. 

Credits have been introduced for using advanced modelling techniques to maximise daylight while minimising glare, as well as a minimum daylight standard required for higher ratings. 

When do businesses need to be compliant under BREEAM V7?

Businesses should start assessing how their upcoming projects align with the new BREEAM V7 requirements, particularly when it comes to new construction projects which have a three-month transition period from September 2025 for New Construction V7.

In order for a successful transition to be carried out, becoming familiar with the updated credit system will prove to be critical – particularly with the shift in focus to whole-life carbon, health and wellbeing, energy efficiency and environmental stewardship. 

It all means that certain types of businesses may need to adjust their design and construction processes to meet the new BREEAM V7 criteria, especially regarding biodiversity and carbon reduction. 

Achieving BREEAM V7 compliance ensures buildings meet environmental and sustainability regulations, helping developers avoid penalties and align with ESG criteria and net-zero goals. 

How can SOCOTEC help?

At SOCOTEC, our comprehensive building inspection and certification services are best informed by BREEAM assessments, which help align our customers with their own sustainability offerings.

Consulting with sustainability teams or professionals experienced with BREEAM V7 can help navigate the changes and ensure compliance.