BREEAM Version 7 to raise real estate certification standards

BREEAM New Construction Version 7, set to apply to all new projects registered after 27 January 2026, is set to elevate the standards for sustainability certification in the real estate and construction sector.

Aleksandra Orlova

Aleksandra Orlova, senior consultant at Drees & Sommer Belgium, said: “BREEAM Version 7 marks a clear shift from sustainability intentions to demonstrable results. Certification is now driven by evidence, timing, and measurable performance across the entire project lifecycle.”
A key change in Version 7 is the mandatory requirement for Whole Life Carbon (WLC) assessments for projects aiming for "Excellent" or "Outstanding" ratings. These assessments will be necessary at the concept design, technical design, and post-construction stages.
Orlova commented: “Structural systems, materials, and building services must now be evaluated through a carbon lens from the earliest stages. Submitting life-cycle assessments late in the design process will no longer be sufficient and, in many cases, will lead to unavoidable credit loss.”
Version 7 places greater weight on circular economy principles, explicitly aligning with the EU's circular economy agenda. The updated framework prioritizes practical, demonstrable circular potential over theoretical strategies.
Orlova notes that projects must now prove how materials can be adapted, reused, or recovered throughout a building's lifecycle. 
New credits concentrate on predicting and monitoring actual water consumption.
Criteria have been refined with more precise requirements for daylighting, artificial lighting quality, glare control, and indoor air quality.
Orlova notes, “Water efficiency is now directly connected to carbon performance, which strengthens the role of MEP design in long-term environmental outcomes.”
BREEAM Version 7 strengthens its focus on the natural environment through updates to the Land Use and Ecology category. The revised approach emphasises biodiversity net gain, aligning with UK legal requirements. Projects are expected not only to minimise ecological damage but to demonstrate a target of at least 10% net gain where applicable.
Overall, BREEAM Version 7 more closely aligns certification with ESG reporting requirements and regulatory developments, including the EU Taxonomy.