Sustainable construction is rapidly becoming the industry standard in Canada, driven by environmental regulations and client demand for eco-friendly buildings. One of the leading frameworks for assessing the sustainability of buildings is BREEAM (Building Research Establishment Environmental Assessment Method). Understanding how green materials impact BREEAM ratings is critical for builders and developers aiming to achieve high sustainability scores and market differentiation.
What Is BREEAM?
BREEAM is an internationally recognized environmental assessment method that evaluates the sustainability performance of buildings across multiple categories, including energy use, water efficiency, materials, waste, and health and wellbeing. Projects are rated on a scale from Pass to Outstanding based on their environmental impact.
The Role of Green Materials in BREEAM Assessment
Materials form a key category in the BREEAM assessment, accounting for up to 10-15% of the overall score depending on the project type. The evaluation focuses on several factors:
Sourcing and Environmental Impact: BREEAM rewards the use of responsibly sourced and low-impact materials, such as FSC-certified timber or recycled content products.
Embodied Carbon Reduction: Materials with low embodied carbon help reduce the building’s total carbon footprint, positively affecting BREEAM scoring.
Durability and Maintenance: Long-lasting materials that require less frequent replacement or maintenance contribute to sustainability credits.
Waste Minimization: Efficient material use and recycling during construction reduce waste, boosting BREEAM points.
How Buildix ERP Helps Optimize Material Selection for BREEAM
Certified Supplier Management
Buildix ERP enables you to filter and prioritize suppliers offering BREEAM-compliant, third party certified green materials, ensuring your procurement aligns with certification requirements.
Embodied Carbon Tracking
The ERP’s environmental data modules calculate embodied carbon for selected materials, allowing you to optimize choices based on carbon intensity and achieve better BREEAM scores.
Material Usage Monitoring
Track material quantities and waste in real time through ERP dashboards, helping you minimize waste and document sustainable practices required for BREEAM compliance.
Reporting for Certification Submission
Buildix ERP generates detailed material usage reports with certification proof and environmental impact data, simplifying BREEAM submission processes and audit readiness.
Practical Examples of Green Materials That Boost BREEAM Ratings
FSC-Certified Wood Products: Sustainably harvested timber supports responsible sourcing credits.
Recycled Steel and Aluminum: Materials with high recycled content reduce embodied carbon.
Low VOC Paints and Finishes: Improve indoor air quality and contribute to health and wellbeing credits.
Green Insulation Materials: Such as cellulose or sheep wool, that are renewable and have low environmental impact.
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Conclusion
Green materials are fundamental to achieving high BREEAM ratings and advancing sustainable building practices. For Canadian builders and developers, Buildix ERP provides a comprehensive platform to manage material sourcing, track environmental impact, and streamline BREEAM certification processes. By integrating green materials thoughtfully, projects not only enhance their sustainability credentials but also deliver long-term environmental and economic benefits.
