It is encouraging to see the industry raising its game in delivering more sustainable buildings. However, I believe there is confusion over how their green credentials are rated.

BREEAM ratings serve a purpose in setting a benchmark for recognising the green credentials of a building, and are rightly held in high esteem. They act as a carrot for the industry, encouraging it to aspire to reach the highest standards of environmental excellence.

But we have a very real concern that BREEAM ratings have little correlation with the recently introduced Energy Performance Certificate asset ratings, and there is a worrying lack of joined-up thinking between the two criteria.

A further concern is the relationship between energy performance asset ratings and the Building Regulations. We have many brand new centres built in accordance with current legislation (and with enhanced energy efficiency standards to achieve BREEAM ratings) that consistently score well below the certified benchmark.

There must be more consistency in order to provide developers with even greater encouragement to go the extra mile to deliver green buildings

Tom Stokes

There must be more consistency in order to provide developers with even greater encouragement to go the extra mile to deliver green buildings.

Tom Stokes, managing director, Evans Easyspace

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