Navigating the sea of certifications: our workshop at the Footprint+ 2025 conference

To begin the discussion, Hero set the scene around the role of certifications in providing a framework for evaluating and rating the performance of buildings, that they can make a building more pleasant for occupants, and more lettable from recognition, and help to deliver net zero targets, and corporate ESG. Clients often want to target certifications that help them to stand out, or that present the lowest risk because they are best understood by the market.

There followed a discussion about the scope of some of the main UK built environment certifications, looking at their points of focus and how they overlap, including:

• Overall environmental performance (i.e. BREEAM, LEED, One Planet Living, SKA)
• In-use energy standards (UKGBC Net Zero Carbon Framework, NABERS)
• Wellbeing (i.e. WELL, Fitwel)
• Exceptional rigour, detailing and QA (i.e. Passivhaus)
• Bespoke sustainability targets (i.e. Heritage)
• Connectivity and technology (i.e. SmartScore, WiredScore)

Hero commented that BREEAM is arguably the best known built environment certification in the UK, having launched in the 90s, but that It is rarely boundary pushing and has become akin to a hygiene factor in some markets. She shared her insights from a post completion study undertaken of multiple buildings, which demonstrated that certification carries through aspirations in a way that bespoke targets struggle to replicate. Effort should be focused where it brings the greatest value for clients, achieving what it is they specifically want from their building.

The discussion moved on to understanding project drivers, precedence, applicability for the type of scheme, cost and value implications, and deliverability. Hero pointed out that timing can impact the cost of achieving certifications, and that committing early on in the project can avoid the need to change direction at a later stage in the design. It was understood that having conversations early on can mean good principles become embedded, even if some targets later get dropped.

Gwilym noted that commitment on the client side is important for achieving many certification objectives, including on projects where the whole team are on board from the outset. Daniel talked about his experience of targeting SKA, finding that the early stage decisions are the most critical for success, and that achieving SKA Gold relies on being able to evidence choices from the very beginning of a project. He also mentioned the importance of engaging with manufacturers early on to check their products are compliant. 

Olivia asked if there are any accreditations that can be picked up at a later date and applied for when a project is already underway. Kathryn gave SmartScore and WiredScore as examples of certifications achievable fairly late on in the design stage. She explained that our reliance on technology means these accreditations tap into how we want to live and use our buildings, bringing a relative value for landlords and tenants.

Thijs shared his experience of delivering projects in the Netherlands, where he said the discussion is not about what's covered by certifications, but by what's not covered. He felt there is emphasis on using budgets to invest in good metrics and desirable limits, rather than trying to reach the very highest accreditations. 

Lou raised a point about empirical evidence for the effectiveness of certifications, and Dean Irvine mentioned that after 15 years of the Australian rating system for commercial buildings, NABERS, there appears to be evidence that it's made an impact overall. It's also understood that BREEAM buildings rent better and spend less time unoccupied.

Kathryn made a valuable point about the potential costs of delivering certifications, that it's important to take a possible training burden into account in any business case, if a certification requires the use of a particular software. Giving NABERS as an example, which requires detailed modelling of a project's mechanical systems, Kathryn explained that at Max Fordham we already owned and used the IES software, but we had little experience of that particular module, which we had to learn how to use. The costs of certifications need to be carefully balanced against the overall achievable value.

Thanks to everyone who attended the workshop. If you would like to discuss certifications on your project or find out more, please get in touch with Hero Bennett, Gwilym Still, Dean Irvine, or Kathryn Donald.