U.K.’S BREEAM green building standard enters U.S. market

Officials from the United Kingdom’s green building standard BREEAM (Building Research Establishment Environmental Assessment Methodology) have launched a campaign to have the standard adopted in the U.S.

The organization is touting the standard as a cost-effective alternative to LEED. BREEAM officials are promoting the standard’s “scientifically-based” In-Use assessment tool that gives a building’s current green status. It also presents what additional sustainable renovations would bolster potential BREEAM certification.

BRE America, a collaboration between BREEAM and LEED certification consulting group BuildingWise, released a new technical manual this month that addresses regulations and standards specific to the U.S. BREEAM is widely used in Europe, but LEED is the most broadly adopted green building standard globally. 

BREEAM proponents say that LEED is more expensive and time-consuming to implement.