BRE Launches BREEAM New Construction Version 7, Raising the Bar for Resilient, High-Performance Development

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SAN FRANCISCO--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Sep 30, 2025--

The Building Research Establishment (BRE), the world-leading building science center behind BREEAM, has just announced the launch of BREEAM New Construction Version 7 (NC V7), the latest evolution of the internationally recognized sustainability standard for new buildings.

BREEAM NC V7 provides a comprehensive, science-driven framework for assessing and certifying the performance of new buildings. The updated standard features expanded whole-life carbon assessment — including operational and embodied carbon, as well as material selection and resource efficiency — enabling more rigorous benchmarking and giving developers, owners, investors, and property managers a clearer, more accurate understanding of an asset’s impact across its entire lifecycle. Predictive operational carbon metrics further help projects identify opportunities for measurable emissions reductions and long-term efficiency improvements.

In addition, NC V7 strengthens methodologies for evaluating resiliency and climate risk, including extreme weather preparedness and other durability measures. The standard also places a stronger emphasis on biodiversity and ecosystem services, encouraging nature-positive outcomes and positive contributions to local environments. Enhanced tools for data collection, benchmarking, and reporting support more accurate and consistent disclosure across diverse assets and markets, helping stakeholders make informed decisions that drive high-performing, future-ready developments.

“Rising climate risks, shifting investor priorities, and volatile capital markets have brought resilience and efficiency to the forefront of real estate strategy. In light of this, BREEAM NC V7 sets a new benchmark for sustainable construction, advancing the industry with science-driven insights, predictive carbon metrics, and enhanced resilience criteria,” said Breana Wheeler, U.S. Director of Operations at BRE. “By turning complex sustainability data into actionable insights, V7 helps stakeholders reduce risk, capture new opportunities for growth in a competitive market, and create long-term value across portfolios of all types.”

This launch comes at a pivotal time, as the global climate crisis forces the industry to take action and deliver assets that can withstand the threat of intensifying physical and transitional risks. In 2024, climate events caused over $368 billion in economic losses worldwide, including $182 billion in the U.S. alone. Over the next three decades, it has been estimated that climate change could result in $1.47 trillion in net property value losses due to rising insurance costs and changing consumer demand. Against this backdrop, investors, owners, and developers are urgently seeking frameworks that protect asset value, mitigate risk, and support compliance with changing building standards.

The new version is particularly well-suited to the U.S. market, where state and local regulations increasingly drive sustainability standards. By requiring performance beyond code — rather than simply aligning with it — BREEAM NC V7 helps assets stay ahead of a fragmented regulatory landscape while also meeting disclosure requirements and investor expectations. The standard provides a credible, science-based pathway to demonstrate strong performance, enabling project teams to deliver measurable improvements in resilience, efficiency, and long-term value.

Version 7 represents more than an update; it’s a call to raise the standard of new construction worldwide. By embedding science into every stage of development, BREEAM is helping shape a built environment that is prepared for tomorrow’s challenges and opportunities.

About Building Research Establishment (BRE)

BRE is a world leading, multi-disciplinary, building science center with a mission to improve buildings and infrastructure, through cutting-edge research and knowledge generation. BRE maintains a range of products, services, standards and qualifications that are used around the world to bring about positive change in the built environment. Learn more at www.bregroup.com.

About BREEAM

BREEAM is the world’s leading sustainability assessment methodology for master planning projects, infrastructure and buildings. It recognises and reflects the value in higher performing assets across the built environment lifecycle, from new construction, through performance in operation, to refurbishment. BREEAM does this through third party certification of the assessment of an asset’s environmental, social and economic sustainability performance, using standards developed by BRE. This means BREEAM rated developments are more sustainable environments that enhance the well-being of the people who live and work in them, help protect natural resources and make for more attractive property investments. Learn more at www.breeam.com.

BREEAM Version 7 is the latest update to the BREEAM set of standards and focuses on whole-life carbon and energy across BREEAM’s three standards for buildings; BREEAM New Construction, Refurbishment and Fit-Out, and In-Use.

BREEAM Refurbishment and Fit Out V7 will be launched in early 2026, and BREEAM In-Use V7 later next year.

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CONTACT: Antenna Group

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KEYWORD: CALIFORNIA UNITED STATES NORTH AMERICA

INDUSTRY KEYWORD: ARCHITECTURE URBAN PLANNING CONSTRUCTION & PROPERTY BUILDING SYSTEMS

SOURCE: Building Research Establishment

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PUB: 09/30/2025 03:22 PM/DISC: 09/30/2025 03:21 PM

http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20250930244356/en