BREEAM Communities
BRE Group
A framework for sustainable community planning.
The BREEAM Communities costs $5,000 USD. Over 600 buildings have earned this program worldwide. Renewal costs $0 USD.
Key Strengths
- Internationally recognised BRE-backed standard with strong credibility in UK and global markets
- Holistic assessment covering economic, social, and environmental sustainability dimensions
- Applicable to large-scale masterplans and community-level developments, not just individual buildings
- Supports planning approval processes and investor due diligence in many jurisdictions
- Aligns with UN Sustainable Development Goals and national planning policies
- Provides a structured framework for stakeholder engagement and long-term community resilience
Ideal For
BREEAM Communities is best suited for urban planners, master developers, and local authorities overseeing large-scale mixed-use or residential developments who want a rigorous, internationally recognised sustainability framework. It is particularly valuable for projects in the UK and internationally where planning authorities or investors require third-party verified sustainability credentials at the community or masterplan scale.
Target Audiences
Relevant Roles
Industries
Alignment & Recognition
Accrediting Body
Building Scope
Overview
BREEAM Communities is a framework designed to help create sustainable communities. It offers standards for new developments, focusing on economic, social, and environmental aspects. Introduced by the Building Research Establishment (BRE) in the UK, it extends BREEAM's building assessment to larger community projects. The program assesses factors like energy efficiency, well-being, and resource management.
Important clients include real estate developers and urban planners aiming for sustainable growth. BREEAM Communities is used globally, influencing projects from local neighborhoods to entire cities. The program has been successful in promoting sustainability, but specific statistical data and historical timelines aren’t readily available on their site.
The system is useful for real estate professionals who wish to ensure their projects meet high sustainability criteria. This helps in marketing properties to eco-conscious buyers and tenants, contributing to long-term value and community resilience.
Requirements & Verification
Evidence Requirements
Applicants must submit a comprehensive sustainability strategy and supporting documentation covering all relevant BREEAM Communities categories (governance, social and economic wellbeing, resources and energy, land use and ecology, transport and movement, and buildings). Evidence includes design drawings, planning documents, transport assessments, ecological surveys, energy strategies, and stakeholder engagement records. Documentation is reviewed at two stages: Stage 1 (outline/concept) and Stage 2 (detailed/final), with a licensed BREEAM Assessor compiling and submitting the evidence to BRE for verification.
Prerequisites
Assessment Process
BREEAM Communities uses a two-stage assessment process conducted by a licensed BREEAM Assessor. Stage 1 covers the outline planning/concept design phase, and Stage 2 covers the detailed/final design phase. The assessor compiles evidence against all applicable credits across the technical categories, submits documentation to BRE Global for quality assurance review, and BRE issues the final certification rating (Pass, Good, Very Good, Excellent, or Outstanding). There is no written exam; the process is entirely documentation and evidence-based with BRE technical reviewers verifying submissions.
Renewal & Compliance
BREEAM Communities certifications are tied to specific development stages and do not follow a standard annual renewal cycle. Projects are assessed at defined design stages, and certification is valid for the assessed stage. If a project progresses to a subsequent stage or significant design changes occur, a new assessment may be required. There is no ongoing annual renewal fee, but projects seeking post-construction verification must undergo a further assessment.
Accountability Model
Impact & Outcomes
Salary & Market Value
No widely published salary impact data exists specifically for BREEAM Communities. However, BREEAM-accredited professionals and sustainability consultants with BREEAM expertise typically command a premium in the UK construction and real estate market, with sustainability roles often earning 10–20% more than non-specialist equivalents according to industry surveys.
Employer Recognition
Consider Alternatives If...
Developers focused solely on individual building performance should consider standard BREEAM New Construction or LEED instead, as BREEAM Communities is designed for masterplan and community-scale projects. Organisations with limited resources or smaller single-building projects may find the process disproportionately complex and costly relative to the benefit.
Alternative Programs
Frequently Asked Questions
Quick Facts
Rating
English
2009
600
