Benefits of international certification of buildings LEED, BREEAM and WELL

These advantages are revealed on the experience of working with HPBS clients on projects for international certification of buildings.

Why do you need international building certification (LEED, BREEAM, WELL)?

 

1. Financial markets
2. ESG reporting and ratings
3. Corporate requirements of the company and partners
4. Commercial real estate of class A
5. Added value of real estate
6. Stand out from competitors
7. Implementation of the most relevant technologies and trends
8. International status
9. Improving employee performance
10. Efficiency of real estate sales
11. Reducing greenhouse gas emissions
12. Exclusively environment for health
13. Saving on operating costs
14. Reduction of network connection costs
15. Tax benefits and subsidies

 

«Green certification» ” reduces the cost of maintaining a building by 7-8% compared to usual buildings, and the value of real estate with a certificate increase by an average of 4-7.5 which contributes to increasing the investment attractiveness of objects, the image of the company, as well as the efficiency of employees.
Certification has additional costs at the construction stage of 1-2%.
Let’s consider the main advantages of the international certification LEED, BREEAM, WELL.

1. Financial markets – “green” bonds

In August 2019, the Moscow Exchange launched the Sustainable Development sector, which includes green bonds issued to finance environmental projects. Several large owners of LEED and BREEAM certified real estate are preparing to issue bonds.

International case: The largest owner of Vasakronan real estate in Sweden (2.5 million square meters) raised funds for $735 million through the issue of “Green Bonds”, providing them with a portfolio of LEED-certified real estate.

2. ESG strategy and international ratings

Using the strategy allows you to create a positive image in the eyes of investors, showing that the company cares about the environment, creates favorable working conditions for its employees and is aimed at good corporate governance.

 

 

 

3. Corporate requirements of the company and partners

LEED is used by 88 Fortune 100 companies.
Examples of objects in Russia:

  • LEED – Gazprom, L’Oreal, Google, PepsiCo, JTI office in Moscow City, etc.
  • BREEAM – IKEA, Decathlon, Auchan, Oceania shopping center, etc.
  • WELL- FGC, Sydney City business class quarter, Moscow, etc.

4. Class A commercial real estate

A Class A building is recommended to be certified according to the LEED or BREEAM system. This recommendation is included in the classification of office buildings. During the certification process, it is possible confirm Class A and receive various deductions.

5. Added value of real estate

Objects certified according to international standards are more valued in the market, more attractive for investment. A great example is the Gallery shopping mall in St. Petersburg, in January 2012, Morgan Stanley bought the mall for $ 1.1 billion. Capitalization increased by 24%, with small additional construction costs (2%).

6. Stand out from competitors

Certified buildings, as a rule, are rented out in large areas and for longer rent periods, the stability of the object to crises and changes to tenants increases. Due to these factors, such facilities have a more stable cash flow during crises and changes in market conditions. For example, the MFC Komcity is located behind the MKAD, in Rumyantsevo, has LEED Gold certification, it is attractive for its internal organization and positioning.

7. Implementation of the most relevant technology trends

When you certify objects according to international standards, you qualitatively think over the solution and the environment, introducing advanced technologies, and at the output you get an object of the future adapted to modern realities.

Examples:

  • A building that buys energy on the wholesale market at a cheap price and uses it from reserves when it is expensive.
  • Ventilation provides more fresh air in the room when there are more people present.
  • Infrastructure for future transport: charging stations, rental services, electric bicycles.

8. International status

International projects: FIFA, Olympics, EXPO, IC Skolkovo must meet the requirements of LEED or BREEAM.

9. Improving employee performance

Research has proven that labor productivity in LEED, BREEAM, WELL buildings increase by 18% due to a reduction in sick leave and an increase in efficiency due to the high quality of the internal environment. This is influenced by landscaping areas, clean air in the building, healthy food, and other factors.

10. Efficiency of real estate sales

Certified buildings according to international standards have lower operating costs, and the quality of the indoor environment is higher than in conventional ones. They are more attractive to a growing group of corporate, public, and individual buyers. The qualitative features of the building are increasingly considered when deciding by the tenant or buyer.

11. Reducing greenhouse gas emissions

LEED buildings consume an average of 25% less energy and produce 34% less greenhouse gas emissions. Reducing greenhouse gas emissions is one of the strategic goals of international companies at the moment.

 

 

 

12. Exceptionally healthy environment

Buildings constructed according to the WELL standard provide an exceptionally healthy environment for building users, stimulate a healthy lifestyle, prolong life, and increase job satisfaction.

13. Saving operating costs

When designing a LEED building, a digital model of energy consumption is built, with the help of which energy costs are optimized. A mandatory requirement of LEED certification is proof of high energy efficiency. LEED buildings on average consume 25% less energy and have 19% less operating costs.

14. Reduction of network connection costs

LEED certified buildings reduce the load on the network, and they can also be equipped with a dynamic load management system. This allows you to reduce peak power by up to 30% and save on connecting to electric networks.

15. Tax benefits and subsidies

  • Energy efficiency class A – at the time of commissioning
  • Investment tax credit
  • Income tax reduction

 

 

Useful links:

CERTIFICATION OF REAL ESTATE OBJECTS ACCORDING TO THE LEED STANDARD

CERTIFICATION OF REAL ESTATE OBJECTS ACCORDING TO THE BREEAM STANDARD

CERTIFICATION OF BUILDINGS ACCORDING TO THE WELL BUILDING STANDARD