When we think about the sustainability challenges of the construction industry, new, energy-efficient buildings often come to mind. However, one of the most important ways to reduce environmental impact can also be to avoid new construction and instead modernise existing buildings, giving them a new lease of life and, potentially, a new function. Renovation offers opportunities not only to improve energy efficiency, but also to reduce embodied carbon, for example by retaining existing structures and materials, while increasing the building’s technical, economic and functional value. But how can sustainability considerations be incorporated within the constraints and specific characteristics of an existing building, and what value can a well-planned renovation create? The BREEAM Refurbishment and Fit Out rating system provides a structured framework precisely for this purpose.

Build or Renovate?

In our previous articles, we explored how sustainability principles can be integrated through BREEAM certification when preparing district-level developments and in the case of new-build projects.

There is a saying that the cheapest energy is the energy we do not use. Applied to buildings, we could similarly say that the most cost-effective or sustainable building is the one that does not need to be built in the first place. Professional forums increasingly emphasise that the construction industry should place greater focus on making use of and renovating the existing building stock rather than relying primarily on new construction.

Green building rating systems have also developed assessment frameworks specifically for these situations. BRE is currently introducing updated requirements for refurbishment projects under the name BREEAM Refurbishment and Fit Out Commercial v7. Similarly to the new-build scheme, this framework covers the entire lifecycle of a renovation project – from defining the need for the project and progressing through the design stages, construction and technical handover, through to commissioning and completion. In doing so, it encourages improvements in the performance, lifespan and resilience of existing buildings.

Based on our experience, it is encouraging to see that requests from owners and developers seeking building certification for refurbishment projects are becoming increasingly common.

Why Is It Not Difficult to Integrate Sustainability into Building Renovation?

The framework mentioned above specifically takes into account the characteristics of non-residential building renovation projects. Whether it is a shell & core refurbishment or a tenant fit-out, the criteria to be assessed and achieved as part of a BREEAM Refurbishment or Fit-out assessment can be tailored to the scope and technical content of the works. In addition, specific requirements can be addressed where a building is subject to heritage protection.

An existing building may have limitations and constraints in terms of its design and technical solutions, meaning that the same technical standards or level of energy efficiency as those achievable in a new building may not always be feasible. BREEAM takes this into account when assessing energy efficiency, for example, by not simply expecting performance equivalent to the standards of a new building, but instead comparing and assessing the building’s condition before and after the refurbishment.

Retaining the structural frame, external envelope or other building elements can shorten the construction period, thereby reducing the environmental impact associated with construction activities. At the same time, using fewer new materials can significantly reduce the building’s carbon footprint.

By retaining, reusing or recycling existing structures and materials, we can also support the principles of the circular economy.

Creating Value from Something Existing

The refurbishment of a deteriorated, vacant or simply outdated building holds significant potential. In addition to improving energy efficiency, already mentioned above, renovation can significantly enhance the comfort and wellbeing of future building users. Better indoor air quality, as well as improved thermal and acoustic comfort, all contribute to this. It can also make the building accessible to new groups of users, for example through improved accessibility.

Through modernisation, a building can also be prepared for the short- and long-term impacts of climate change, while existing natural hazards, such as flash flood, can be addressed. The renovation can also create opportunities to reduce energy and water consumption or, for example, to utilise rainwater and greywater. If the property includes external areas, their ecological quality can also be improved by enhancing biodiversity and increasing green space.

In addition to environmental value, refurbishment can also create economic value. A modernised building can have lower operating and maintenance costs than a building in need of renovation, as the quality and lifespan of its structures and systems have been improved. The market value, occupancy rate and rental potential of the property may also increase.

A well-planned investment can create urban and community value as well. A deteriorated or underutilised building can be brought back to life and reactivate its surroundings, while avoiding disruption to the existing urban fabric. In the case of valuable, protected buildings, refurbishment also provides an opportunity to preserve architectural and cultural heritage while adapting the building to contemporary needs and giving it a new lease of life or function.

In today’s global real estate market, it is no longer enough to describe a building as simply energy-efficient or sustainable. Investors, lenders, and tenants increasingly require verified, comparable data on a building’s energy performance, carbon emissions, climate resilience, and occupant well-being. LEED certification provides one of the world’s most widely recognized frameworks for evaluating these aspects, and its latest version—LEED v5—is now available for new projects.

Details HERE.

The terms “green”, “sustainable” and “environmentally friendly” have become common elements of corporate communications in recent years. Under the European Union’s new rules, however, they will soon be subject to significantly stricter conditions.

The Empowering Consumers for the Green Transition Directive, or EmpCo for short, aims to ensure that consumers receive more accurate and verifiable information about the environmental characteristics of products and services. The new requirements will apply from 27 September 2026, leaving companies less than two months to prepare.

Which sustainability claims may become risky?

Under EmpCo, generic environmental claims that do not clearly specify what they refer to or what results or data support them will be subject to stricter scrutiny. Examples include:

• “environmentally friendly”;
• “green”;
• “sustainable”;
• “climate-friendly”;
• “eco-friendly”;
• “biodegradable”.

These claims may only be used in generic form if the company can demonstrate recognised excellent environmental performance relevant to the claim. If the precise meaning of the claim is presented clearly and prominently on the same communication medium, it may qualify as a specific environmental claim. However, its accuracy must still be supported by appropriate data.

Particular caution is required when using terms such as “climate-neutral” or “carbon-neutral”. Product-level claims based solely on the offsetting of greenhouse gas emissions will be prohibited under the new rules. Communications must be based on the product’s actual life-cycle impacts and the results achieved within the company’s own value chain.

Specific claims are coming to the fore

In the future, statements that clearly define the nature and extent of environmental performance will become increasingly important. For example:

• “100 percent of the plant’s electricity consumption comes from renewable sources.”
• “70 percent of the packaging is made from recycled materials.”
• “The amount of water used in production decreased by 18 percent between 2023 and 2025.”

These claims provide consumers with more precise information but may only be used safely if the underlying data, calculation methods and time-based comparisons can be verified.

Stricter expectations will also apply to future commitments. Communicating a climate or emissions reduction target may require clear, publicly available and verifiable commitments, measurable time-bound targets, a realistic implementation plan and independent expert verification.

Labels and visual elements must also be reviewed

The impact of EmpCo extends beyond advertising copy. As a general rule, sustainability labels may only be used if they are based on an appropriate certification scheme or have been established by a public authority. Companies’ own “green” logos and certification marks may therefore also need to be reviewed.

The overall effect of the communication also matters. Leaves, water droplets, images of nature and green colour schemes used on packaging or in advertisements may themselves suggest an environmental benefit. Therefore, in addition to textual claims, the visual presentation and the overall impression created in the consumer should also be assessed as part of the compliance review.

What should companies do now?

Preparation requires coordinated efforts from ESG, marketing, legal, compliance, procurement and business functions. As a first step, it is advisable to:

• identify environmental claims appearing on websites, in advertisements, on social media platforms, packaging and product materials;
• verify the data, calculations and methodologies supporting the claims;
• review the labels, logos and certificates being used;
• identify wording that is too generic or potentially misleading;
• establish an internal approval and documentation process for new environmental claims;
• prepare marketing and sales teams to apply the new requirements.

The review must also cover communications and packaging relating to products already on the market, as the requirements will also apply to existing products from 27 September 2026.

Trust can be measured in the details

EmpCo places substantiation at the heart of sustainability communications. Accurate, measurable and properly documented claims can reduce legal and reputational risks while providing consumers with more credible information.

Preparing for the new requirements is therefore a broader task than reviewing marketing communications: it also requires the alignment of data, processes and responsibilities. Companies that establish the internal systems needed to verify their sustainability claims in good time may find themselves in a more favourable position.