BREEAM certificate:
sustainable and energy-efficient buildings

The agri-food engineering and construction sector, of which we are specialists, is immersed in a process of change that, for some years now, has involved major transformations to implement more sustainable methods. To quantify and analyze the sustainability of a building in Spain there are mainly five internationally recognized and used certification systems. One of the most present in the Spanish market is the British BREEAM, from its acronym Building Research Establishment Environmental Assessment Methodology.
This system aims to reduce the environmental impact during the entire life cycle of the building from its construction to its end of life. In addition to stimulating demand for sustainable buildings.
The seal evaluates environmental impacts in 10 categories:
  • Management: commissioning, construction management policies, operating guidelines and environmental management system.
  • Health and Wellness: occupant comfort in areas such as heating, lighting, air quality or noise.
  • Energy: minimization of energy consumption, energy efficiency of equipment and implementation of renewable energies.
  • Transportation: location of the plot, access to public transportation, proximity to services, pedestrian access and infrastructure for alternative modes of transportation.
  • Water consumption efficiency
  • Materials: materials with low energy content, responsible treatment of material resources and use of materials with low environmental impact.
  • Waste: reduction of waste generated in the construction and operation of the building.
  • Land use and ecology: location and type of soil on which the building is located, as well as the protection and valuation of natural resources and biodiversity.
  • Pollution: minimization of environmental footprint
  • Innovation: Allows recognition of improvements in the area of sustainability that are not rewarded through the standard requirements.
In addition to the category, the seals have a point system that assigns a grade to each project. The scale ranges from correct, when the certification is less than thirty points, to exceptional when the score is 85 points or higher. In addition, there is the Good certification, with 45 or less points; Very Good, with 55 or less points; or Excellent, with seventy points or more.
In this context, at Cunovesa we are committed to sustainability and to the guidelines set out in the 2030 Agenda. Therefore, one of our projects for this year will already be registered to obtain the sustainable certification Breeam, being one of the first to achieve this milestone within the food sector.
“BREEAM certification has become our ally in continuing to offer our clients sustainable solutions. Sustainable engineering and construction is above all a commitment to quality and the pursuit of excellence. Wanting to build better and go beyond the standard. It is the present and future of the sector”.. – Josetxu Ruiz, Director of the North Delegation of Cunovesa Group.