BREEAM New Construction V7

After 27 January 2026, all newly registered new-build projects will transition to BREEAM International Version 7. The update introduces stricter evidence requirements, refined minimum standards, new weightings per category with increased emphasis on sustainability priorities and new credits across the Health and Wellbeing, Energy, and Water categories and shows alignment with the EU Taxonomy and ESG reporting frameworks. 

This overview summarizes the most important changes and practical implications for design teams, developers, and asset owners. 

A more evidence-driven certification process, BREEAM Version 7, places greater emphasis on measurable performance. Some credits require more comprehensive studies and insights, and several categories now demand evidence at stage of the project lifecycle. 
 

Whole Life Carbon and Decarbonization: Move to Mandatory Assessment

One of the most impactful changes is the introduction of mandatory Whole Life Carbon (WLC) assessments for projects targeting Excellent or Outstanding ratings. 

These assessments must be carried out at: 

• Concept Design 
• Technical Design 
• Post-Construction 

This early integration ensures that decisions related to structure, materials, and building systems align with carbon reduction targets. Submitting LCAs late in the design stage will no longer be sufficient and may lead to unavoidable credit loss. 

Circular Economy Principles: Alignment with EU Taxonomy Goals

Circularity increases its importance in Version 7 and explicitly aligns with EU circular economy agenda. The focus shifts from theoretical design strategies to practical circular potential. Projects must demonstrate how materials are sourced, used, and disposed of, to support resource efficiency, emphasizing waste reduction and optimal use of materials. Version 7 encourages strategies with innovative designs that facilitate disassembly, refurbishment, and the re-use of materials with a shift of focus from ‘design & construction’ to Whole Life building stages (design-construction-use-end of life).

Water Performance: Efficiency and Carbon Impact 

The updated water category goes beyond assessing consumption, and now have expanded credit weightings and minimum requirements, and introducing a new credit for predicting and monitoring actual water consumption. Water use is now linked to its carbon footprint reduction, reinforcing the connection between MEP design and operational impacts. 

Health & Wellbeing: Broader and More Precise Requirements 

The Health & Wellbeing section has been expanded with more specific criteria, such as: 

• Updated Daylighting Standards, glare control and view out quality
• Artificial Lightening focused on occupants' comfort and usability  
• Indoor Air Quality improvements, including increasing of minimum standards and stricter emissions requirements

These refinements support buildings that deliver long-term comfort, mental health, and overall wellbeing to their occupants. 

Biodiversity and Ecosystem: Measurable Improvements

Version 7 strengthens its focus on biodiversity and the natural environment as a key strategy to address growing ecological issues. Changes in the Land Use and Ecology category highlight focus on biodiversity net gain – a legal requirement in the UK - fostering that projects not only minimize damages from the developments, but to deliver at least 10% of improvements.

Registering Under the Current Version: When it Makes Sense— and Until When It’s Possible

For projects already well underway in their design phase, registering under the current BREEAM version may be the most strategic option. The right choice depends on timeline, target rating, project complexity, and the feasibility of integrating Version 7 requirements into the existing design. 
The latest date to register a project under BREEAM Version 6 before midnight on 27 January 2026. Later, new registrations will be accepted under BREEAM Version 7.