Understand the Differences Between LEED vs. BREEAM

LEED vs. BREEAM: Key Differences

In the past few decades, people have become more concerned about carbon emissions and their potential impact on the environment. To try to curb some of these issues, global leaders in multiple industries have established regulations and other programs. 

In 1993, for instance, the American Institute of Architects (AIA) convened the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) to help bring sustainable practices into the industry. The USGBC then introduced the Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) program in 1998. A few years earlier, in 1990, the U.K. introduced the Building Research Establishment Environmental Assessment Method (BREEAM). 

In terms of LEED vs. BREEAM, which is more comprehensive, and which standards should you be following? Let’s find out. 

What Is LEED? 

Although it was established in the U.S., LEED is a global rating system used to design buildings that are more energy-efficient and cost-effective. The program is currently on version five, which considers factors such as equity, health, ecosystem conservation, and resilience along with traditional environmental factors. 

LEED is broken into various categories, including building design, operations and maintenance, interior design, neighborhood development, homes, and cities. The rating system is aimed at encouraging builders to create buildings that are less costly to operate and contribute to public health and well-being, considering factors such as indoor air quality (IAQ). 

What Is BREEAM? 

BREEAM is a set of standards guiding a building’s environmental performance from the design stage through operation. It uses scientifically based metrics to assess projects ranging from refurbished buildings to new constructions. 

Like LEED, BREEAM is used in multiple countries to holistically evaluate buildings and developments and improve their impact on the environment. Either system can be used for environmental, social, and governance (ESG) reporting, and both systems can effectively help developers and builders contribute to the United Nations' sustainability goals.

The Key Differences Between LEED vs. BREEAM

Though LEED and BREEAM are similar in that they both assess environmental impact, there are some key differences between the two. 

Origin

BREEAM originated in the U.K. nearly a decade before LEED. As such, it's based on British and European construction standards. It was established by the Building Research Establishment (BRE), which was part of the government until it was privatized in 1997.

BRE initially developed BREEAM to assess new office buildings, but it was later expanded to include commercial buildings such as retail units, industrial buildings, and existing offices.

LEED was partially modeled on BREEAM, but because of the unique nature of development in the U.S., the USGBC thought a separate set of standards would be more applicable. The group partnered with the Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC) in 1995 and started working on LEED. 

Geographic Focus

Although LEED was developed with the U.S. in mind, its criteria are applicable in most countries. In 2022, for example, mainland China alone had more than 1,000 LEED projects totaling over 180 million square feet. 

BREEAM certification is also used in more than 70 countries. While many of them are located in Europe, you can also find BREEAM-certified buildings in China, the U.S., and other non-European countries. In general, European building standards are more highly focused on sustainability than those in the U.S. 

Since multiple regions in Europe have buildings that are centuries old, their building codes often factor in historical preservation. BREEAM accounts for these standards.

Certification Process

Both LEED and BREEAM are great methods for assessing environmental impact, but the certification process is not the same. BREEAM uses independent assessors to evaluate each project and score it based on the quality and certification criteria. Each BREEAM assessor has to be licensed to perform the assessment. 

On the other hand, buildings being considered for LEED certification are not audited. Instead, the project team collects data throughout the design and construction process and submits it to the USGBC. Once a project manager applies for LEED certification, the USGBC evaluates the submitted information and determines whether to award the certification. 

Scoring System

The primary difference between LEED and BREEAM involves the scoring criteria. LEED bases its thresholds on percentages, while BREEAM uses quantitative standards. LEED uses four levels of certification: 

● Certified (40 to 49 points)

● Silver (50 to 59 points)

● Gold (60 to 79 points)

● Platinum (80-plus points) 

The LEED system was revised in version 4 with separate sets of standards related to the project. With this shift, LEED devised separate scoring criteria for operations and maintenance, meaning that buildings need to be committed to indoor air quality monitoring and other operational practices that improve human health. 

BREEAM uses a scoring system ranging from "Pass" to "Outstanding" based on how a construction project or building performs against the preset standards. Independent parties evaluate the building for operations and management, human health, land use, pollution, water usage, and other environmental factors and then submit a score.

Emphasis

LEED measures how different elements allow a building to realize cost savings relative to the standards of the American Society of Heating, Refrigerating, and Air-Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE). BREEAM ratings are more concerned with how building elements reduce carbon dioxide emissions. 

A well-thought-out design process allows you to aim for a higher rating with either certification method. For example, a developer who wants to earn a higher LEED certification may use locally sourced building materials and recycled materials.

Earn Points Toward Certification With the Perfect IAQ Solution

Air quality plays an important role in how a building can impact human health. Both the BREEAM and LEED building standards consider IAQ testing as part of their certification method. Whichever program you use, installing air quality monitors and air quality testers can help improve your chances of becoming certified. 

These monitors help you protect human health, and they can alert you when something is wrong in your building. For example, if you notice your air quality slipping, you can test your HVAC system to see if there's a leak or another issue. Then you can fix it faster, saving money and keeping your building occupants safe.

Attune's sensors provide real-time data with custom analytics that you can access from a mobile device, so your building manager can always access your IAQ data to maintain optimal indoor air quality at all times. 

Schedule a demo today and take the next step toward certification.