In the real estate world, the BREEAM label plays a crucial role in sustainability and environmental friendliness. The higher the BREEAM score, the stronger your position in the market. There are various ways to improve the BREEAM score for your property, and smart parking software is an excellent example. In this blog, we'll show you how it works.
What is BREEAM?
BREEAM stands for the Building Research Establishment Environmental Assessment Method. It is a certification method used to assess the overall sustainability of buildings and areas. Developed in 1990 by the Building Research Establishment (BRE) in the UK, BREEAM was created in response to growing awareness of the environmental impact of buildings. BREEAM-NL is the Dutch version of the international BREEAM certification system.
Labels and BREEAM score
BREEAM assesses the sustainability of buildings and areas throughout their lifecycle. The four labels are New Construction and Renovation, In-Use, Area Development, and Demolition and Disassembly. The assessment of the first two labels covers various areas, including management, energy, water, transport, materials, waste, landscape and ecology, and pollution.
The BREEAM Score
The BREEAM score is expressed in certifications with different percentages. Certified experts assess on a scale of 0 to 100%. Buildings and areas can qualify for different levels of BREEAM certification:
- Unclassified: 0-30%
- Pass: 31-44%
- Good: 45-54%
- Very Good: 55-69%
- Excellent: 70-84%
- Outstanding: 85-100%
Why is BREEAM important?
A high BREEAM score means your property is future-proof and meets international sustainability standards, which is attractive to investors. The internationally recognised BREEAM certificate also offers several other benefits, including:
- Lower ecological impact
- A better reputation
- A higher property value
- Reduced long-term operational costs
A good BREEAM score can also help with grant applications (such as the MIA) and achieve a good position on the GRESB (Global ESG Benchmark for Real Assets) index. Properties with a BREEAM certificate are also healthier, considering aspects like indoor climate, ventilation, light, and volatile organic compounds, which improve the well-being and productivity of occupants. Lastly, all these benefits contribute to your ESG goals.
How to increase your BREEAM score with parking software
There are many ways to improve your property's BREEAM score, and smart parking software is one not-so-well-known example. We distinguish between In-Use and New Construction.
In-use (existing buildings)
1. TRA05 - Transport, reduction/control of environmental impact
This guideline requires demonstrating that you are reducing and/or controlling the environmental impact of your transport flows. You can earn up to 12 points here. Smart parking software can prioritise parking for electric vehicles, earning points per transport stream:
- Customer/visitor travel: 2 points
- Deliveries from suppliers: 2 points
- Employee commuting: 4 points
- Business travel: 4 points
2. TRA 06 - Incorporating transport policy into the organisation
By setting objectives for transport flows and converting them into concrete action plans, you can earn up to 3 BREEAM points. Smart parking software offers extensive monitoring via dashboards and reports, allowing you to track progress and adjust your transport policy based on data.
3. TRA 07 - Measures to make commuting to work more sustainable
Smart parking software can also help make commuting more sustainable (TRA 07). Using parking criteria based on functional needs or vehicle type, you can earn 2 points. For example, smart parking software can assign spaces to electric vehicles and introduce paid parking for external parkers, earning an additional 2 points.
4. TRA 11 - Environmental impact on employee commuting
By recording and monitoring annual distances or CO₂ emissions for relevant mobility flows, you can earn up to 4 points. Smart parking software and a bicycle stimulation app can register these flows. Including public transport users in your report ensures you get the full points.
New construction
TRA 05 - Transport plan
Similar to the in-use guidelines, this guideline focuses on minimising environmentally harmful transport. Smart parking software can reduce emissions by prioritising electric cars, earning 1 point.
Toogethr Smart Parking
Smart parking software like Toogethr Smart Parking offers various options to increase the BREEAM score of your real estate portfolio. Want to know more about how we can help you? Download our pamphlet or book a demo today.
