BREEAM Green Building Certification
As the leading green building consultancy in Central and Eastern Europe, our expert team was the first in Hungary to obtain BREEAM accreditation and has since received international recognition at the BREEAM Awards on two occasions. Thanks to our unique experience, we not only have an in-depth understanding of certification processes, but also maintain active professional relationships with the operators of certification systems and participate in international professional consultations related to the development of certification schemes and procedures. This up-to-date, system-level insight enables us to provide our clients with complex, strategically driven services that go far beyond the administration of certification. With our expertise in BREEAM, LEED, EDGE, WELL, and other sustainability rating systems, we support our projects from concept development through implementation to long-term value creation.
What is BREEAM?
The BREEAM system is the world’s leading building sustainability assessment method, developed by BRE (Building Research Establishment) in the United Kingdom in 1990. Its popularity is well demonstrated by the fact that among certified buildings in Hungary, BREEAM is the most widely used rating system.
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With the BREEAM certification schemes, properties with the following functions, among others, can be assessed:
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BREEAM International New Construction – New residential and commercial developments
BREEAM Bespoke – Newly constructed, complex buildings with unique functions for which no standard assessment framework exists (e.g. sports facilities)
BREEAM International Refurbishment and Fit-Out – Refurbishment or renovation projects
BREEAM In-Use – Existing commercial properties
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The holistic certification methodology is divided into the following nine categories:​​
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Based on the credits earned in the above categories, each with their specific weighting, the certification outcome can be:
Although BREEAM is a certification system with European roots, it now has a global presence and is widely used around the world. In many countries, country-specific BREEAM schemes are also available, adapted to local market, regulatory, and environmental conditions – including the Netherlands, Germany, Sweden, and the United States.
Why is BREEAM certification a good investment?
BREEAM provides a clear quality and ESG benchmark for tenants and investors, demonstrating the building’s sustainability and operational performance. Certified properties enjoy a competitive advantage in leasing and sales, particularly in the premium office market.
BREEAM certification is often a prerequisite for green financing schemes, such as green loans or preferential bank products. Certification helps reduce financing risk.
Improved energy and water efficiency and more effective building operation.
Meeting BREEAM requirements results in lower energy and water consumption and more efficient operation, reducing operating expenses (OPEX) and improving the property’s total life cycle cost (LCC).
Why Greenbors?
Market-leading consultancy: As the leading independent consultancy in Central and Eastern Europe, we specialize in sustainability services for the real estate, infrastructure, and financial sectors.
Over 150 successful certifications: Our multidisciplinary team of experts has outstanding experience, having delivered more than 150 green building certifications over the past five years.
End-to-end services: We provide a comprehensive, project-spanning service package, from advisory services through to the preparation of supplementary studies.
Client base: Developers, property owners, general designers, operators, shopping centres, logistics facilities, and office buildings.
Trusted by
 TRIBE Budapest Stadium HotelBREEAM In-Use v6 certification scheme - Outstanding rating (partner: WING) |  TRIBE Budapest Airport HotelBREEAM In-Use v6 certification scheme Good rating (partner: WING) |  MOM Park OfficeBREEAM In-Use v6 vertification scheme - Very Good rating (partner: OTP Real Estate Investment Fund Management Ltd.) |
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 F99 office buildingBREEAM In-Use v6 certification scheme - Excellent rating (partner: Proform Zrt.) |  Liget Center VitrumBREEAM In-Use v6 certification scheme - Very Good rating (partner: WING) |  Budawest Office BuildingBREEAM In-Use v6 certification scheme - Excellent rating (partner: Vendere Kft.) |
How does a BREEAM project work at Greenbors?
Strategic preparation, target level definition, and gap analysis
Every BREEAM project is preceded by comprehensive strategic preparation. Taking into account the building type and life-cycle phase, we define the achievable certification target level in alignment with business, market, and ESG expectations. As part of this process, we identify critical credits, map out realistically achievable requirements, and analyze potential risks and optimization opportunities. This integrated approach ensures that the certification process is transparent, well-planned, and professionally grounded—applicable to both new developments and existing buildings.
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Certification management, expert advice, and coordination
Throughout the entire certification process, we provide active professional support. Depending on client needs, we not only serve as advisors but also participate in coordinating and executing BREEAM-specific tasks, working closely with designers, contractors, and operators. As part of our comprehensive services, we aim to relieve clients of as much administrative and technical burden as possible, ensuring the certification process is transparent, well-scheduled, and successful—while actively supporting the project’s sustainability performance improvement.
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Innovative approach – supported by Sustainabot AI
Greenbors manages certification processes with the support of the Sustainabot AI assistant. This innovative solution aids in interpreting requirements, quality-assuring documentation, and managing processes more efficiently, further enhancing the accuracy, consistency, and effectiveness of certifications.
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Evaluation and certification
Once the necessary documentation and evidence packages are compiled, we manage the assessment and quality assurance processes of the certification body, including addressing any questions that arise, all the way through to obtaining the final BREEAM certificate.
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Long-term approach – especially for BREEAM In-Use
The BREEAM In-Use certification has a limited validity period, so we support our clients not only in achieving certification but also in maintaining and renewing it, ensuring the building’s long-term high sustainability and operational performance.
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Frequently asked questions
What is BREEAM and why do we work with it? BREEAM is an internationally recognised sustainability certification system. We work with BREEAM because it has been proven to increase property value, improve lettability, and help meet investor, ESG and corporate sustainability requirements.
What BREEAM rating levels are available? It is important to understand that higher certification levels—especially Excellent and Outstanding—require comprehensive and integrated sustainability performance. Achieving the Outstanding level essentially means meeting the vast majority of available credits, which is only realistic under certain site conditions and deliberate design decisions. For example, for a greenfield development located far from urban infrastructure or public transport, some credits may be difficult or impossible to achieve. For this reason, we define a project-specific, realistically achievable target certification level for each project, aligned with its characteristics, budget, and long-term business objectives.
For which project types do we provide BREEAM services? We provide BREEAM services for new construction projects (New Construction), newly built buildings with unique functions (Bespoke), refurbishment and fit-out projects (Refurbishment & Fit-Out), as well as existing buildings.
When should we be involved in a project? Ideally, as early as the concept or schematic design phase. The earlier we are involved, the more cost-effectively we can maximise achievable credits and ensure the seamless integration of sustainability solutions into the original technical scope.
Do we help define the target certification level? Yes. At the beginning of the project, we jointly determine a realistically achievable target rating, taking into account the budget, technical constraints and project schedule.
Do we provide BREEAM services for projects with existing designs? Yes. In such cases, we carry out a preliminary gap analysis to identify the achievable rating based on the current design and to highlight where modifications are required.
How does the BREEAM certification process work with us? The process starts with a credit strategy and gap analysis / deficiency and compliance assessment, followed by project registration, Design Stage assessment and interim certification, Post Construction assessment, and finally the achievement of the final certificate.
How long does a BREEAM project take? This depends on the size and complexity of the project, typically between 8 and 20 months. We support the project throughout the entire design and construction process.
Do we provide interim certification? Yes. At the end of the Design Stage, we apply for an interim certificate, which is often sufficient for financing, leasing or marketing purposes.
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