Environmental and Sustainability Strategy

BREEAM

Description

BREEAM (Building Research Establishment Environmental Assessment Methodology) applies to Imperial projects with a project value of £5m or above. 

BREEAM assesses a project against a range of sustainability cateogies including Management, Health & Wellbeing, Energy, Transport, Water, Materials, Waste, Land Use & Ecology. BREEAM ratings are classified as Outstanding, Excellent, Very Good, Good and Pass. Imperial requires all new build projects to achieve a minimum BREEAM Excellent rating and refurbishment projects over £5m to achieve a minimum BREEAM Very Good rating. 

At the early project stage, the Project Manager must determine whether the project is required to follow the BREEAM route (projects valued at £5m and above for both new build and refurbishment projects) or the SBG route for projects below the £5m threshold. 

Engagement

  • Interim certificate to be distributed to: Sustainable Buildings Manager, Head of Net Zero Carbon, Projects Delivery Team Administrative Assistant, Property Division Records & Archives Officer
  • Final Certificate to be distributed to: Sustainable Buildings Manager, Head of Net Zero Carbon, Projects Delivery Team Administrative Assistant, Property Division Records & Archives Officer
  • Project Manager, Design Team, Cost Consultant and external BREEAM assessor to be engaged throughout the project lifecycle. 

Forms & Links

Approvals & Compliance Review

BREEAM certification is provided through a Quality Assurance (QA) review undertaken by BRE Global Ltd, the accredited independent certification body. 

BESPR 7.2.2: BREEAM Imperial College requires all new buildings to achieve a minimum of BREEAM “Excellent” rating and refurbishments over £5M to achieve BREEAM "Very Good".

Evidence submission and certification reviews are required at key RIBA stages and prior to project completion. The Interim and Final BREEAM certification documentation must be provided. 

Repeated Subsequent RIBA Stages 

RIBA Stages 0-1

Assessment and interim certification process begins.

RIBA Stages 1-2

Pre-assessment stage

RIBA Stages 2-3

Assessment stage

RIBA Stages 2-4

Design stage assessment

RIBA Stages 3-4

Interim (design) certification issued

RIBA Stages 5-6

Construction stage assessment/review

RIBA Stage 6

Final (post construction) certification

 

Sustainable Building Guide

Description

Imperial's Sustainability Guide for Building Refurbishment Projects (SBG) applies to refurbishment and maintenance projects below the £5m BREEAM threshold. The SBG provides a proportionate sustainability framework aligned with Imperial's Net Zero Carbon objectives and sustainable estate commitments. 

The guide focuses on six core Key Performance Indicators (KPIs): Energy & Carbon, Waste, Water, Procurement & Materials, Biodiversity and Health & Wellbeing.

The SBG is intended to ensure sustainability considerations are embedded into smaller refurbihsment projects that would not normally achieve formal BREEAM certification. The SBG should be considered from project inception and incorporated into planning, design development and delivery stages. 

Engagement

  • Project Manager
  • Building Manager
  • Maintenance Manager 
  • Sustainable Buildings Manager
  • Design Consultants and Contractors (where applicable)

Forms & Links

Approval & Compliance Review

The responsible party (Project Manager, Building Manager & Maintenance Manager) are required to agree pre-project KPIs (e.g. LETI EUI) and complete and the SBG Proforma at each applicable gateway stage. 

The completed proforma must be submitted to Imperial's Sustainable Buildings Manager for review and record keeping and feed into the NZC plan. The proforma captures project sustainability targets, metering, energy performance and Net Zero Carbon alignment may also be required depending on the project scope. 

The Project Management team must provide pre-project Energy & Carbon KPIs, including LETI EUI targets, and confirm post-project performance KPIs on completion. 

Repeated Subsequent RIBA Stages

The SBG Proforma and associated sustainability reviews are required to be updated and reviewed at relevant RIBA gateway stages throughout the project lifecycle to demonstrate continued compliance and sustainability integration.