Rivals Set To Challenge Breeam

摘要

BRE could lose its monopoly on the energy ratings market for non-domestic buildings if plans due to be unveiled next week are implemented, writes Michael Willoughby.rnThe idea is contained in the UK Green Building Council's (UK-GBC) response to the government's consultation on a Code for Sustainable Buildings (CSB) to bring domestic buildings up to zero carbon by 2019.rnThe group, which includes more than 100 companies, wants the proposed CSB to approve existing rating methods.rnThis would allow overseas systems such as LEED and Green Star to compete with BREEAM and would also set the CSB in contrast to the Code for Sustainable Homes, which wasrnlargely based on BRE's eco-homes standard.rnThe submission is due to be made public next week. Under the UK-GBC's plans, the code would provide a framework for the government to approve rating methods. All commercial buildings, including existing ones, would then be on a regulatory escalator towards zero carbon.