15.10.2021
Sustainalytics is a term starting to surface in the business world as various entities look for ways to measure sustainability. ESG ratings have emerged as metrics that measure a company’s considerations for environmental, social, and governance issues. Building stakeholders are increasingly looking forward to solutions that achieve environmental and financial efficiency, paying close attention to Sustainalytics ESG ratings. Here’s a look at how organizations are promoting Sustainalytics such as LEED, BREEAM, and GRESB.
Differences Between LEED, BREEAM and GRESB Ratings
- LEED: Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design
- BREEAM: Building Research Establishment Environmental Assessment Method
- GRESB: Global Real Estate Sustainability Benchmark
These three green certification programs used to rate buildings for sustainability are recognized by institutions and vendors around the world. The ratings command a new type of value to investors. These certifications open doors for business relationships among green organizations while adding value to the property. The BREEAM vs LEED certification comparison is an interesting starting point in the discussion of building Sustainalytics.
Assessing Sustainability Scoring Systems
BREEAM is the oldest of the three, tracing its roots to 1990 while LEED surfaced in 1993 then became more refocused toward newer green technologies in 1998. A BREEAM score of 85% is considered outstanding, while 70 is excellent. A 55 score reflects very good performance and 45 is the minimum score for good, although a building can still pass with a score of 30.
Understanding the BREEAM criteria list is a good way to become familiar with Sustainalytics ESG ratings. Some of the most weighted areas of the nine environmental categories are energy, health, and wellbeing, materials, and management. Rounding out the other environmental criteria are transport, water, waste, land use, ecology, and pollution. In the UK the top 1% of new non-domestic buildings are viewed by BREEAM as outstanding with innovator status. Overall 75% of all new UK buildings pass as most are viewed as compliant with standard good practice.
BREEAM uses a credit system in which ESG scores are based on credits for good environmental practices. Reducing water leaks and practising water conservation, for example, are actions that raise the BREEAM Section score for Water. The BREEAM certification process requires focusing on each of the nine environmental factors.
Preparing for the BREEAM certification process can be enhanced by comparing BREEAM vs LEED criteria for scoring levels. Keep in mind the scoring for BREEAM New Construction has 49 assessment factors that span all nine environmental categories. Each building issues a certain number of credits based on compliance.
Investors Aiming for Greener Markets
Since its launch in 2009, GRESB has been an investor-led organization that provides Sustainalytics ESG ratings to its stakeholders. The traditional notion that profit concerns outweigh environmental concerns has been flipped around in recent years. Therefore, now companies that refuse to abandon unsustainable processes are facing growing pressure from not just the government, but also the investment community.
Managers of buildings that do not meet the BREEAM criteria list can look at alternative rating systems such as LEED and GRESB. Reviewing the differences between BREEAM vs LEED can help building managers explore more deeply the nine environmental categories that lead the path toward the BREEAM certification process.
Go greener following the BREEAM criteria list
Aiming for sustainability is a goal spreading across real estate marketplaces and beyond as companies looking to go greener follow the BREEAM criteria list. Shayp is a leader in water efficiency, helping building owners cut water loss by over 22%. Shayp’s solution can help you achieve certification with BREEAM and LEED.
For more information on how sustainability affects the value of your property contact the experts at Shayp. We are committed to greener solutions to help the environment and raise awareness on sustainability.