What are BREEAM and LEED certifications and how do they differ?

BREEAM and LEED are two of the most widely used sustainability rating systems for buildings, but they come from different parts of the world. BREEAM is UK-based and has been around longer, while LEED was developed in the United States. Both assess how “green” a building is, but they use slightly different scoring approaches and priorities.

BREEAM is often more detailed in the early design and planning stages, with a stronger focus on local environmental impacts, materials and long-term lifecycle performance. LEED tends to use a more points-driven structure that’s easier to compare across international projects, especially in corporate portfolios.

In the end, both certifications aim to improve building performance, reduce environmental impact, and give owners a structured way to show commitment to sustainability.