BREEAM operator calls for recognisable energy savings

Office design news from Morgan Lovell

Published on 31-12-2009

Improvements made to buildings in the public sector should be assessed to ensure that they achieve the intended energy savings, it has been suggested.

The BRE Trust, which operates the BREEAM assessment method for buildings, has published research showing that many projects undertaken in the public sector do not significantly reduce the consumption of energy.

Figures compiled in the study were drawn from the Display Energy Certificates of around 28,000 public sector buildings, including job centres, academies and schools.

Principal sustainability consultant for BRE Jon Mussett says: "Energy used in public buildings accounts for four per cent of the UK's carbon emissions.

"Design standards are improving, but we need to demonstrate that this is resulting in improved building performance."

The BRE Trust suggests that its own BREEAM method of assessment provides inspiration to building operators to find new ways to save energy, as well as recognition within the market for buildings with a low environmental impact.

Posted by Ian Johnson.