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Grontmij is the first assessor and advisor for existing real estate (BREEAM-in-Use) and is now able to execute assessments and advisory throughout Europe.

Measuring sustainability of real estate
Over the past 10 years, the real estate business has become aware of its responsibility regarding the need for sustainable buildings and building management. This has resulted in a need to measure the sustainability of real estate. The main methods that have been developed to measure and subsequently certify the sustainability of buildings are BREEAM and LEED. BREEAM in particular has become widely accepted in Europe and is an increasingly used tool with which to determine the degree of sustainability, and to improve upon it where necessary.

BREEAM
BREEAM belongs to the UK organisation BRE, which licenses BREEAM assessors on completion of the relevant training and registration. BREEAM was developed in the UK and is currently used in many European and other countries. In the Netherlands, BREEAM is recommended and supported by the Dutch Green Building Council (DGBC). Many institutional investors, developers, consultants and other interested parties are affiliated to the DGBC.

Certification of new developments
Assessing a new development of offices, shops, residential accommodation or a new development area can result in official certification at a certain level. Buyers of real estate can therefore indicate a sustainability requirement, such as BREEAM-excellent, for the development or purchase of property.

Certification of existing real estate
It is perhaps interesting to note that it will soon be possible to certify existing real estate using BREEAM-in-Use. An important aspect of this assessment is the consultancy available regarding potential improvement opportunities for the sustainability of buildings and their environment, and for real estate management. Consultants must meet stringent requirements regarding their expertise on feasibility, suitability, and the financial viability of, for example, energy-saving methods, the reduction of CO2 emissions, and pollution.

Process
Improved sustainability starts by taking measurements. An assessment of the realistic potential for improvement is then made by the consultant in collaboration with the owner and the user of the real estate. This should ultimately lead to the improved sustainability of the building, shop, house or area in question, reduced costs for the user, and improved profits for the real estate owner.

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For the press, the below picture is free to use and downloadable from our Image Gallery.

 
Martin Townsend, director BREEAM (left) presents the BREEAM-in-Use certificate to Gert Dral, COO of Grontmij and member of the Executive Board.