Decarbonising New Construction: Inside the major carbon-focused upgrades of BREEAM V7

Taking a holistic view of design impacts from the earliest possible stage significantly increases the likelihood of achieving meaningful carbon and resource efficiencies, alongside improvements across wider environmental indicators. Too often, design efficiencies and the procurement of more sustainable products cannot be incorporated because the decision is made too late or perceived as impractical. V7 reinforces the need for integrated decision-making from the very beginning, with all parties collaborating from the outset – a key component in delivering truly sustainable buildings.

In addition, V7 removes the previous requirement for life cycle assessments (LCAs) to be conducted using an IMPACT-compliant LCA tool. The previous reliance on these tools in earlier BREEAM schemes introduced several limitations that no longer align with current LCA best practice. The IMPACT database provided a standardised but largely fixed dataset, meaning results were consistent but often dependent on generic or outdated data, rather than reflecting rapidly evolving product-specific information. Critically, it lacked scope and granularity for complex elements such as building services, leading to incomplete or simplified assessments. By removing this dependency, V7 enables the use of more current, product-specific and standardised data, improving accuracy and alignment with modern whole-life carbon reporting requirements.

How can we improve energy performance?

On the other side of the whole‑life carbon equation is operational energy. In earlier versions of BREEAM, the focus sat largely on the design of the structure and core systems. Yet, as the industry has repeatedly seen, a building’s actual performance can diverge significantly from design intent due to a wide range of real‑world variables. BREEAM V7 addresses this gap through the introduction of Ene 02: Prediction of Operational Energy & Carbon, which requires modelling that more closely reflects real operational conditions and aligns with methodologies used in NABERS UK and BREEAM In‑Use.

V7 also strengthens minimum standards for operational energy performance, places greater emphasis on electrification, and introduces new credits for more dynamic building controls. These updates recognise the growing importance of real‑world performance data in informing design decisions, as well as the need to reduce reliance on fossil fuels to future‑proof assets.

The operational energy metrics in V7 directly support EU Taxonomy reporting and reinforce the shift toward performance‑based outcomes seen across national and international frameworks such as the UK Net Zero Carbon Building Standard, CRREM and the Science Based Targets initiative. This alignment helps simplify reporting and compliance for asset owners while encouraging more transparent, evidence‑driven design.

These principles also echo the direction of Cundall’s Zero Carbon Design 2030 and our work supporting clients on credible net‑zero transition pathways. As the industry moves toward 2030, BREEAM V7 provides another step forward — helping project teams push the boundaries of what sustainable building performance can look like in practice.