Our environmental assessment services cover BREEAM, DREAM, Home Quality Mark, Fitwel and LEED. Each scheme has a different purpose and assessment framework. We help clients understand which route is relevant to their building and what evidence, coordination and decisions will be needed.

BREEAM assessments and advisory support

BREEAM, the Building Research Establishment Environmental Assessment Method, is an established framework for assessing the sustainability performance of buildings. It considers a broad range of environmental and social factors, including energy, water, materials, waste, pollution, transport, land use, ecology, management and occupant wellbeing. The assessment route depends on the type of building and its stage in the lifecycle.
RA provides BREEAM Advisory Professional (AP) support from the early stages of a project through to completion. Our BREEAM APs work with the design and construction teams to identify achievable credits, coordinate sustainability measures and keep certification requirements visible as the project develops. This service is available whether RA is appointed as the BREEAM assessor or another organisation holds that role.

BREEAM New Construction

BREEAM New Construction assesses new developments at design and post-construction stages. It provides a framework for considering sustainability alongside design quality and project delivery, with assessment categories including Management, Health and Wellbeing, Energy, Transport, Water, Materials, Waste, Land Use and Ecology, Pollution and Innovation. Early engagement can help project teams identify suitable credits before key design decisions are fixed.

BREEAM Refurbishment and Fit-Out

BREEAM Non-Domestic Refurbishment and Fit-Out (RFO) applies to qualifying refurbishment and fit-out projects in existing non-residential buildings. It provides a structured approach to improving the performance of retained buildings and spaces, from energy efficiency and material choices to internal environmental quality. RA helps teams understand the relevant assessment scope and integrate sustainability measures into the refurbishment programme.

BREEAM In-Use

BREEAM In-Use is designed for existing assets and their ongoing management. It can help owners, operators and occupiers benchmark building performance, identify improvement opportunities and plan more effective management practices. The emphasis is on understanding the building as it operates, rather than assessing a proposed new development.

Other sustainability assessment schemes

DREAM

DREAM is a sustainability assessment approach used in defence-related projects. We can discuss the relevant project requirements and the assessment evidence needed where this framework applies.

Home Quality Mark

Home Quality Mark provides a framework for considering the quality and sustainability of new homes, including matters that affect residents and long-term performance. We can help project teams review the applicable scheme requirements and their implications for design.

Fitwel

Fitwel focuses on health and wellbeing in buildings and places. It considers how design and operational choices can support the people who use a space. RA can help clients explore how Fitwel objectives fit within their wider sustainability brief.

LEED

LEED, Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design, is an internationally recognised green building rating system. It addresses sustainability across categories such as energy, water, materials and indoor environmental quality. We can advise on how its requirements relate to a project’s design and documentation strategy.

Discuss your assessment requirements

Speak to RA Sustainability about your sustainability assessment