GreenBookLive News
GreenBookLive News
Register here for free issues of the bi-monthly GreenBookLive e-newsletter
Invalid claim of certification
It has been brought to our attention that the following invalid certificates are in circulation. BRE Global Ltd. maintains a database of all validated certificates and further information can be found at www.greenbooklive.com. Always check the validity of any of our certificates prior to acceptance
One-stop shop for BREEAM assessments
BREEAM Projects, a one-stop shop for assessing and certifying building projects against BREEAM, has been released in Beta. Your feedback welcome. Read more
Actual costs and payback for sustainable building strategies
A new research report, Delivering sustainable buildings: Savings and payback (FB 63), presents the actual costs and payback of a range of sustainable building strategies in BREEAM assessed buildings. Read more
BREEAM UK Refurbishment and Fit-Out - your chance to comment
After two years of extensive industry consultation, development and piloting, the draft 2014 version of the BREEAM UK Refurbishment and Fit-Out scheme has now been published. The closing date for comments is 29 August. Read more
Developing a new homes standard
BRE has consulted with house builders on developing a voluntary sustainability standard for new homes.All those involved in delivering housing, as well as consumers, were invited to have their say on what the standard should include. Read more
eTool’s Life Cycle Assessment app to become IMPACT compliant
Software consultancy eTool is integrating BRE’s Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) database IMPACT into its web-based building LCA app eToolLCD, enabling users to assess the embodied carbon and other impacts of their building. Read more
BREEAM UK New Construction 2014 is live
The new BREEAM UK New Construction scheme became live for registration on 27 May. This update follows the most extensive consultation ever carried out for a BREEAM scheme. Read more
Responsible sourcing – latest issue of BES 6001 standard published 
BRE Global has just published Issue 3 of its Framework Standard for Responsible Sourcing. The document is now available here on Green Book Live along with the application form and fee details. Read more
QSAND promotes sustainable reconstruction following natural disasters 
A new self-assessment tool will help humanitarian agencies to adopt more sustainable reconstruction practices following a natural disaster. Read more
BRE Global to operate Environmental Technology Verification (ETV) scheme
BRE Global has gained EU funding to operate an ETV scheme for energy technologies, and materials, waste and resources technologies – and will shortly be able to offer financial support to applicant SMEs. Read more
Solar PV investigation and fault finding service
The BRE National Solar Centre offers a solar PV investigation and fault finding service. Issues with panels, mounting systems, components and performance are very rare, but when they do occur can risk financial and carbon reduction investments, as well as safety and well-being. Read more
Free guidance on sustainable retrofit of exis
ting housing through BREEAM
The BRE Trust will launch two retrofit guidance publications at the CIH Housing 2014 Conference and Exhibition on 24 June 2014. They are essential reading for those in the housing retrofit market. Read more
Turning solar farms into biodiversity hotspots 
Expert guidance on developing habitats that support indigenous plant and animal life on unused areas of solar farms was launched at Kew Gardens by the BRE National Solar Centre on 28 April. Read more
New overview of BREEAM In-Use published
A 12-page, online briefing paper giving an illustrated and comprehensive overview of the BREEAM In-Use scheme has recently been published and is now available here.
London hospitals pilot BREEAM In-Use 
St Bart’s and Great Ormond Street Hospitals have recently piloted the BREEAM In-Use methodology on their buildings, demonstrating their commitment to healthier patient and staff environments, lower running costs, and sustainable buildings and management practices. Read more
BREEAM Communities helps a redevelopment scheme in Belgium 
Belgian developer SDM (Sustainable Development Mechelen N.V.) have announced that they are applying BREEAM Communities for the smart, sustainable redevelopment of a phase of the Ragheno Park site in Mechelen, Belgium. Read more
Jobs growth in the solar sector
The BRE National Solar Centre has carried out a comprehensive survey of jobs in the solar sector in 2013, detailing both staffing numbers and site installation activities. Read more
Long-term performance testing of solar PV systems
Opening later this year at the Eden project in Cornwall, the BRE National Solar Centre’s new test site aims to increase confidence in the UK PV industry by providing definitive performance data. For more information call 01729 871830, email nsc@bre.co.uk
BREEAM preferred by European real estate investors 
A survey by DLA Piper of more than 100 real estate investors across Europe has shown that a huge majority are in favour of certification schemes that recognise building sustainability – and almost two-thirds say their preferred scheme is BREEAM. Read more
New BIM certification sche
mes
BRE Global is developing BIM certification schemes for individual practitioners and for businesses using BIM. The aim is to help them to deliver the highest level of service to clients. Click here for information and here to be updated on the development of the schemes.
Gree
n Book showcase at the BRE Innovation Park
Over the next few months, the Hanson EcoHouse and Barratt Green House on the BRE Innovation Park in Watford will be dedicated to showcasing green technologies from the Green Book (along with Red Book products). Email Nick Smith at smithn@bre.co.uk
EPD for Hanson’s concrete block
Building materials supplier Hanson UK, has had its Thermalite Autoclaved Aerated Concrete Block verified under BRE Gobal’s EN 15804 compliant Environmental Product Declaration (EPD) scheme Read more. Presentations from BRE’s successful EN15804 awareness event on 27 February can be accessed by clicking here.
BREEAM
UK New construction 2014
Following an extensive consultation and development process, the final version of the BREEAM UK New Construction 2014 technical manual is due for publication on 27 May 2014. Information on the revision process is given here.
New a
nd improved SMARTWaste
A new SMARTWaste tool designed to provide improved functionality, more intuitive navigation and a better overall user experience, was launched on 17 March. Read more
Partners sought for built environment resilience centre
At its Britain Under Water conference on 20 March, BRE outlined plans for creating a Centre for Resilience for the built environment in partnership with government, the construction indistry and the insurance sector. Read more
Sto
ckholm unveils ambitious BREEAM In-Use commitment
The city of Stockholm is unveiling ambitious plans to increase its use of BREEAM In-Use to help manage and improve the sustainability performance of its buildings. Read more
BREEAM In-Use full house for Hilton Worldwide’s European HQ
Maple Court in Watford, the European headquarters of hotel giant Hilton Worldwide, has been awarded certification against all 3 parts of BREEAM In-Use: asset performance, occupier management and building management. Read more
Michaela Strachan presents the 2014 BREEAM Awards 
The 2014 BREEAM Awards were presented by TV presenter Michaela Strachan at a gala event during Ecobuild on 4 March. The winning buildings were selected from shortlists by an eminent industry panel, with one award chosen by public vote. Read more
MCS certificated pitched roof mounting kit become mandatory
Using MCS certificated pitched roof mounting kits will be mandatory for MCS PV and solar thermal installations on pitched roofs from 31 March 2014. BRE Global is accredited for certifying products to MCS 012 – call 0333 321 88 11or e-mail microgenproducts@bre.co.uk
Changes to SMARTWaste
This year brings changes to SMARTWaste with the current free SMARTWaste Plan stopping on the 16 March 2014. Current users are being offered an exclusive deal to join the SMARTWaste membership scheme and continue to make full use of the scheme. Read more …
Call for manufacturers to join solid wall retrofit project 
Manufactuers and installers of innovative products and systems are being invited to participate in research into the effective and economic retrofitting of insulation in 1950s solid wall concrete homes. Read more and complete PQQ.
Showcase of retrofit products and projects
The Centre of Refurbishment Excellence (CoRE) is showcasing the best retrofit products and projects as part of its Festival of Retrofit, which runs from February until April. Read more
I
SA welcomes Qatar GBC as a strategic member
The Qatar Green Building Council (GBC) is the latest organisation to join ISA, the global networking organisation dedicated to improving the sustainability of real estate through benchmarking. Read more
Click here for older GreenBook Live news.
