BREEAM launches New Construction Version 7

The Building Research Establishment (BRE) recently launched BREEAM New Construction Version 7 (NC V7).

The latest version of the sustainability standard for new buildings includes predictive operational carbon, whole-life carbon including MEP systems, and science-driven resilience. It “tracks embodied and operational carbon in unprecedented detail, helping developers proactively optimize for net-zero goals rather than just meet regulations,” according to a BRE news release.

The new version features material selection and resource efficiency, enabling more rigorous benchmarking and giving developers, owners, investors, and property managers a clearer, more accurate understanding of an asset’s impact across its entire lifecycle. Predictive operational carbon metrics help projects identify opportunities for measurable emissions reductions and long-term efficiency improvements.

Rigorous climate risk assessment includes extreme weather preparedness and durability measures. Version 7 goes beyond harm mitigation, guiding design toward biodiversity net gain and resource efficiency, enhancing ecosystems, and protecting natural capital.

NC V7 works for all asset types, including mixed-use projects, streamlining reporting while maintaining rigorous performance. By requiring performance beyond code—rather than simply aligning with it—BREEAM NC V7 helps assets stay ahead of a fragmented regulatory landscape while also meeting disclosure requirements and investor expectations, BRE says.

BREEAM Refurbishment and Fit Out V7 will be launched in early 2026, and BREEAM In-Use V7 will debut later next year.