Sustainability is no longer a side issue in construction
The industry faces growing pressure to prove that projects are truly low impact. This is where BREEAM, one of the world’s leading frameworks for assessing environmental performance, continues to play a key role.
The Building Research Establishment (BRE) launched BREEAM New Construction Version 7 (V7) in 2025. This major update reflects the industry’s shift toward Net Zero Carbon, real-world performance, and transparency.
What is BREEAM
BREEAM (Building Research Establishment Environmental Assessment Method) is the UK’s leading sustainability assessment method for the built environment. It measures performance across areas such as energy, water, materials, ecology, and wellbeing.
What is BREEAM V7
BREEAM Version 7 is one of the most significant updates to the scheme in recent years. It responds to current environmental challenges and positions BREEAM as both an assessment method and a framework for future-proofing assets in a market where environmental performance affects value, risk, and investment.
V7 places greater emphasis on verified sustainability data, meaning project teams will rely more on evidence such as Environmental Product Declarations (EPDs) and BES 6001 responsible sourcing certification.
Version 7 focuses on the following:
- Whole-Life Carbon
- Circular Economy
- Performance Transparency
What has changed in BREEAM V7
BREEAM V7 changes how sustainability is defined, measured, and evidenced. The new version focuses on lifecycle impacts, real-world performance, and transparent data instead of predicted outcomes or isolated design features.
It introduces new benchmarks and stricter minimum standards, especially around energy, water, and embodied carbon. Projects aiming for Excellent or Outstanding ratings face tighter requirements.
Other updates include:
- Greater emphasis on health and wellbeing—covering daylight, glare control, air quality, lighting, and thermal comfort.
- Credits for smart building systems, energy controls, and flexible demand management.
- Support for Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG), aligning with England’s new 10% improvement requirement.
Stronger focus on whole-life carbon
Version 7 expands carbon assessment to cover the entire building life cycle—from material extraction and manufacturing to use, maintenance, and end-of-life. Mechanical, electrical, and plumbing (MEP) systems are now included in embodied carbon calculations.
Projects targeting Outstanding ratings must now carry out Life Cycle Assessments (LCAs) at multiple design stages—Concept Design, Technical Design, and Post-Construction—showing data-driven carbon reduction throughout the process.
Why these changes matter
For building owners and developers:
V7 promotes higher-value, lower-risk, and climate-resilient buildings. It provides a credible structure for demonstrating real carbon and energy performance, aligning with ESG goals and investor demands. Verified performance data can also unlock access to sustainability-linked loans and green finance.
For contractors and project teams:
BREEAM must now be integrated earlier in the process. Stricter rules around carbon, materials, and performance mean compliance can’t be added at the end of a project. Contractors need to plan for responsible sourcing, waste reduction, and real-time performance monitoring from the outset.
For manufacturers
BREEAM V7 increases the importance of early collaboration. Manufacturers are now part of sustainability discussions from the concept stage onward. Accurate EPDs, responsible sourcing certificates, and verified data will become essential for specification and material selection.
How Aquvis can help you comply with BREEAM V7
The aquvis solution captures site data in real-time for live projects providing carbon emissions for actual performance from inception to project completion which is a key new requirement for BREEAM V7. It is no longer acceptable to just use the design carbon for reporting but actual performance is needed for each project. This is precisely what Aquvis provides to contractors and developers. Our carbon emissions are based on EPD’s which include MEP equipment.
Talk to our carbon experts and see how we can support you on journey to BREEAM V7 compliance and achieve the best possible rating to support your sustainability targets and business growth plans.