No BREEAM, no way

The Expert Eye

Marcin Czerniewski, senior development manager, Prologis

In recent years, BREEAM certification has become the standard in the warehouse market, benefiting companies, their employees and the environment as a whole. It is a tool that helps clients assess the extent to which a building meets the requirements of sustainability, while providing employees with a comfortable and friendly working environment and ensuring the planet gains zero-carbon compliant facilities

BREEAM, or the Building Research Establishment Environmental Assessment Method, is the oldest and one of the most recognised building certification systems in Europe. It was created by the British Research Establishment (BRE) more than 30 years ago, initially to assess new office developments in the UK. Since then, it has evolved to become a global standard for sustainable construction. The certification process includes ten different categories that assess various aspects of a property, including the technical specification, design and construction and the building’s function. its considerations include the project management, the level of energy efficiency, occupant comfort, energy consumption, location, waste management, water management, care of the grounds, and building innovation. Each category focuses on the most impactful factors, such as reduced carbon emissions, a reduced environmental impact, adaptation to climate change, ecological value and biodiversity conservation.

10 key areas

Each of these ten categories addresses key aspects related to carbon emission minimisation, reducing the environmental impact, climate change adaptation and biodiversity conservation. These categories are considered key in discussions with clients as early as the investment planning stage. The consideration of the sustainability aspects at an early stage of the investment planning based on the framework set out by BREEAM not only reduces the life-cycle costs of the building and increases the value of the asset, but also improves the comfort of the facility’s users. Also important is the fact that it has a positive impact on the company’s image and, above all, fits in with the achievement of strategic ESG objectives. Therefore, BREEAM certification is not just a formality, but represents real added value for the customers and users of warehouse facilities.

Any building that is being certified is assessed according to the requirements of each of these areas. On this basis, a percentage is calculated of how well the development meets the BREEAM criteria. Depending on the sum total of the points scored and the weights assigned, a building can be awarded different levels of certification – from acceptable (under the In-Use system) to ‘Outstanding’, and the result is then represented by stars on the BREEAM certificate.

BREEAM certification is based on an assessment by independent assessors from an international network of more than 2,600 professionals who have received special training and licensing. This ensures that the results are reliable and that the buildings with the highest ratings truly represent the highest standards of sustainable design. In addition, the assessments are verified by BRE Global, which guarantees their highest quality.

Not just environmental efficiency

This not only provides confirmation that a building is environmentally friendly – it is also a tool that allows for effective investment planning. Incorporating BREEAM requirements early in the building design process helps to reduce life-cycle costs, increase property values and improve occupant comfort. The certification also supports companies in meeting their ESG (Environmental, Social and Governance) objectives.

A BREEAM certificate is nowadays a standard almost equal to compulsory building standards. Buildings that meet its requirements are more popular with tenants and investors, as the certificate means not only better workmanship, but also lower operating costs. Even achieving the basic ‘Pass’ level (between 30 and 45 pct of the requirements) does not involve major costs – and it is estimated that it increases investment costs by a small percentage.

BREEAM in practice

Prologis facilities around the world have already been BREEAM certified at different levels depending on the region for thirty years. A commitment the company made in 2015 is for every eligible project to achieve sustainability certification. By the end of 2023, the company had certified 22 projects and 32 others were in the certification process, representing almost 23 pct of Prologis’ entire logistics property portfolio.

One of the flagship examples of BREEAM application in Poland is the DC4 warehouse at Prologis Park Wrocław III, which has been awarded four BREEAM stars at the ‘Excellent’ level. The 50,000 sqm facility meets more than 70 pvt of the certification requirements, making it one of the most modern warehouses in the country. “Thanks to their energy-saving solutions, such as LED systems and photovoltaic panels, our buildings are not only environmentally friendly, but also very operationally efficient,” adds Marcin Czerniewski.

Another example is the DC10 building at Prologis Park Wrocław V, where a number of ecological and economical solutions have been applied, such as hybrid heating systems, heat pumps, grey water recycling and natural light illumination of 12.5 pct, which reduces energy bills by around 25 pct. “Such solutions not only contribute to savings, but also increase the comfort of the facility,” explains Prologis’ expert.

Five-star warehouse

The highest possible level of BREEAM certification is ‘Outstanding’. One of Prologis’ buildings, Moissy 2 DC1 in France, achieved a score of 93.1 pct, the highest rating for a logistics facility in the world. Using geothermal heat pumps, photovoltaic panels and recycled materials, the carbon footprint of this building is minimised at every stage of its life cycle.

BREEAM is the reality and the future of warehouse construction. With sustainability being one of the key pillars of environmental responsibility in the logistics sector, today’s warehouse centres are being designed to minimise carbon emissions and the use of natural resources. Including BREEAM certification at the planning stage of a building enables additional points to be scored, making it significantly easier to realise a sustainable investment. However, it can be implemented at any stage of a building’s life cycle. The BREEAM scheme has six standards that can be applied at different stages, from new construction to retrofit. A BREEAM-certified building offers a healthier working environment as well as more efficient and less costly operations.

BREEAM covers ten main areas related to: