NCC and BREEAM environmental assessment

Buildings affect the environment through their location and design, as well as their implementation and use. For its part, NCC wishes to carry responsibility for minimising environmental effects.  BREEAM*) is an environmental assessment method and tool used to evaluate the environmental effects of buildings. This method makes it also possible to perform comparisons between various countries.

- NCC possesses wide-ranging knowledge on environmental assessment methods available in the markets. We chose BREEAM for the assessment of our developer-contracted commercial premises because it is based on European practices and consequently relevant in our market area, says Jonny Hellman, Environmental Manager at NCC Property Development in Stockholm.

BREEAM was developed in Great Britain in the 1990s and it is used in 12 European countries. Thus far 110,000 buildings have been assessed in accordance with this cost-effective and simple system. A decision has been made in the United Kingdom to classify all new buildings in accordance with the BREEAM system. ICSC (International Council of Shopping Centers) has recommended that its members use BREEAM.

To NCC, the adoption of BREEAM also means a step towards a leading role in environment and energy issues.  NCC Property Development has the EU’s GreenBuilding Corporate Partner status and it also participates in the GreenLight project, which aims to develop energy-efficient lighting solutions for offices.