BREEAM V7: What’s Changing and What It Means for Your Projects

Published by RedSix Sustainability Consultancy – October 2025

A new era for sustainable building standards

BREEAM V7 marks one of the most significant updates to the world’s leading sustainability assessment method in years.

With greater alignment to net-zero carbon targets, EU Taxonomy, and whole-life performance, this new version sets a much higher benchmark for what sustainable development really means.

At RedSix, our sustainability team has reviewed every major update in the scheme to help design teams, developers and contractors understand exactly what’s changing — and how to plan ahead.

Download our full BREEAM V7 Client Guide Here for a detailed breakdown of every credit change, mandatory requirement and registration deadline.

Why BREEAM V7 matters

The new framework moves BREEAM away from “tick-box” reporting and toward performance-driven outcomes that reflect real carbon savings, energy efficiency and occupant wellbeing.

The update aligns closely with national and international net-zero goals, requiring projects to demonstrate measurable improvements in:

• Operational carbon

• Embodied carbon

• Refrigerant and transport emissions

This shift is designed to simplify duplication across reporting systems, strengthen industry collaboration, and ensure BREEAM certification delivers tangible long-term value.

Key changes in BREEAM V7

While the full list of updates is extensive, here are some of the most impactful:

1. Stronger Minimum Standards

Minimum requirements are now stricter and apply across more categories, particularly for energy performance and whole-life carbon.
Projects targeting Excellent or Outstanding must now complete a Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) and embodied carbon report.

2. Energy & Carbon Focus

Credit weighting has shifted to prioritise energy and carbon performance, encouraging electrification of building systems and reduced reliance on gas, in line with future Building Regulations.

3. Revised Visual Comfort & Lighting

The old “Visual Comfort” section has been replaced with separate credits for natural and artificial lighting, supporting healthier, human-centric design and occupant wellbeing.

4. New Credits for Operational Insights

BREEAM V7 introduces additional credits for:

• Installed control systems for smarter energy management

• Prediction of operational water use, rewarding accurate performance modelling

• Flexible Demand Response, promoting integration with low-carbon energy grids

5. EU Taxonomy Alignment

BREEAM now supports direct EU Taxonomy reporting, simplifying ESG disclosure for investors and asset owners.

How it impacts your project strategy

These updates will raise the bar for compliance — and potentially increase upfront design and documentation time.
However, early engagement and integrated modelling can significantly reduce risk and streamline certification.

Our advice:

• Review your upcoming pipeline before January 2026.

• Consider registering under BREEAM V6 now to retain flexibility (registrations close 27 January 2026).

• Plan for additional resource and collaboration during early design stages.

What’s next

RedSix is helping clients across the UK prepare for the transition through project audits, registration support, and tailored CPD sessions.

If you’d like to:

• Understand whether to register under V6 or V7
• Review how the new credits affect your project
• Access our free BREEAM V7 Client Guide

 Email info@red-six.co.uk with the subject line BREEAM V7 Support.