A Conceptual and Literature Review of the Effectiveness of BREEAM

The literature examining BREEAM was explored to extract an overview of the effectiveness of the method in assessing sustainability in built developments. It was found that BREEAM is a respected assessment tool, with much potential to develop into a valuable driver towards sustainable development in the construction industry. Shortfalls were discovered in the way the method has been used, e.g. in the industry understanding of sustainable development as a holistic concept; in the focus on short-term financial rewards; in the lack of site-specific consideration of the application of solutions.