Sustainability labels differ geographically—well-known examples are BREEAM in the United Kingdom and LEED in the United States—but what they measure can be compared. For businesses, the labels are an important way to increase their Dow Jones Sustainability Index (DJSI) or Global Real Estate Sustainability Benchmark (GRESB) scores. New buildings and renovation projects are often judged in different modules. Even properties that are being used can be given a score, often in the framework of potential or planned improvements.

BREEAM is the most used system by far. ‘Land Use and Ecology’ make 10–12% of the total project scores and are therefore certainly not neglected elements. A recognised ecologist—such as Avantgarden—must always perform the study based on set parameters within a fixed template.

Avantgarden performs these studies for the related element and in the requested template. The proposed material use is taken into account, with the assessment made via the Green Building Guide and the ecological footprint.

Click here for a list of our recent BREEAM projects and a recent example of a BREEAM certificate.