BREEAM, LEED and Green Star to collaborate on rating tools

The UK, US and Australian bodies will “map and develop common metrics to measure emissions of CO2 equivalents from new homes and buildings”.

A working group will look at ways of achieving a better level of consistency in how and what the rating tools measure and how that information is reported.

Romilly Madew, chief executive of the Green Building Council of Australia, said: “Climate change is a global problem, so it is vital that we find a global solution.”

Matt Kitson, head of the sustainability group at Hilson Moran(pictured), said: “It’s a great start. So long as it’s a flexible scheme, taking local and climatic issues into consideration, it can only be a good thing.

“If the intention is to learn from each other’s experience and to improve the assessment methods, then I’m all for it.”

The agreement was signed at Ecobuild in London last month. The sustainability event also saw the launch of BREEAM In-Use, a scheme to help facilities managers reduce running costs and improve the environmental performance of buildings.

It offers an online assessment tool and a third-party certification process.

The scheme is in three parts:

• asset performance – inherent performance characteristics of the building based on its built form, construction and services;
• building management performance – policies, procedures and practices related to building operation; consumption of such resources as energy and water; environmental impacts such as carbon and waste generation; and
• organisational effectiveness – understanding/implementation of policies, procedures and practices; staff engagement; and delivery of key outputs.