Resilience Meets Sustainability Blog Series - Part 2: How Property Resiliency Assessments Complement BREEAM USA
- 5h
- 4 min read
By Erik Eichenlaub, CEM, WELL AP, LEED GA | Climate Services Director, Nova Group, GBC
Introduction: Continuing Our Series on PRA + Green Building Certifications & Frameworks
As climate change drives more frequent and severe natural hazards, sustainable buildings must prioritize resilience alongside environmental performance. At Nova Group, GBC, we see resilience and sustainability as two sides of the same coin. In our Resilience Meets Sustainability series, we’re exploring how Property Resiliency Assessments (PRAs) enhance leading green building certifications. In Part 1, we examined the synergy between PRAs and LEED v5. Now, in Part 2, we dive into BREEAM USA In-Use: Commercial v6, a science-based sustainability framework for existing buildings, and demonstrate how PRAs can strengthen its resilience strategies while helping achieve certification goals.
BREEAM USA In-Use: Commercial v6: A Framework for Existing Buildings
Launched in May 2020 by the Building Research Establishment (BRE), BREEAM USA In-Use v6 is a holistic environmental assessment method tailored for existing commercial, industrial, and residential buildings in the United States. Unlike certifications focused on new construction, BREEAM In-Use targets operational performance, enabling property owners, managers, and occupiers to benchmark and improve sustainability across assets of any size, age, or performance level.
BREEAM USA In-Use v6 is structured in two parts:
Part 1: Asset Performance – Evaluates the building’s inherent sustainability, including energy efficiency, water use, materials, and resilience to environmental risks.
Part 2: Management Performance – Assesses operational practices, such as maintenance, occupant engagement, and emergency preparedness.
The framework uses a weighted scoring system, with certification levels ranging from Pass to Outstanding. Version 6 emphasizes resilience, social impact, and environmental, social, and governance (ESG) performance, making it a natural fit for integration with PRAs.
Key resilience-focused features include:
Assessment of climate-related risks and adaptation measures.
Credits for operational continuity during disruptions.
Focus on health, well-being, and equitable management practices.
What is a Property Resiliency Assessment (PRA)?
A PRA is a comprehensive evaluation of a property’s vulnerability to climate-related hazards, operational disruptions, and other stressors. It assesses risks such as flooding, extreme heat, hurricanes, and power outages, while considering social equity factors like accessibility and community impact. By identifying vulnerabilities and recommending mitigation strategies, PRAs ensure buildings remain safe, functional, and cost-effective over their lifecycle. By addressing both physical and operational resilience, PRAs align closely with BREEAM USA In-Use’s goals of improving asset performance and protecting long-term value.
Where PRAs Directly Crossover with BREEAM USA In-Use: Commercial v6
BREEAM USA In-Use: Commercial v6 integrates resilience into its assessment categories, particularly in Resilience, Energy, Health and Well-being, and Management. PRAs enhance these categories by providing data-driven risk assessments and tailored strategies. Below, we highlight key areas where PRAs directly support BREEAM requirements and credits:
1. Resilience Category
Intent: To assess and manage an asset’s exposure to climate-related physical, transitional, and social risks, alongside local environmental and security risks, to minimize impacts, enhance resilience, and support rapid recovery for the asset and its community.
Rsl 01 – Flood Risk Assessment - Requires identification of flood sources (riverine, coastal, pluvial) and assessment of potential climate-influenced flood exposure. Evaluates site-specific mitigation measures (e.g., flood barriers, site grading).
Rsl 02 - Surface Water Runoff Impact Mitigation - Requires measures in place like green roofs, bioswales, permeable paving, and detention basins to mitigate surface runoff and reduce flood pressure.
Rsl 03 - Natural Hazard Risk Assessment - Assessment for site-specific hazards including seismic activity, tornadoes, hurricanes, wildfire, and drought. Where hazards exist, emergency strategies must be developed.
Rsl 04 - Durable and Resilient Features - Evaluates materials, systems, and design elements that support climate durability. Evaluates building envelope components, materials, and construction assemblies for resistance to water damage, wind, corrosion, and fire.
A PRA directly supports these requirements by providing detailed hazard analysis, including exposure, vulnerability, and adaptive capacity.
2. Management Category: Emergency Preparedness and Response
Intent: To encourage sustainable management practices that guide building operators and users to maximize asset performance, set clear sustainability targets, and optimize processes through feedback loops.
Rsl 06 - Emergency Plans & Climate Related Physical Risks - To encourage emergency plans that go beyond legal requirements and aim to protect property and the environment in addition to people. To recognize and encourage assessment of an asset’s exposure to climate-related physical risks and their impact on asset value. Requires building-specific emergency plans informed by physical climate risk assessments.
PRAs complement this by offering a detailed risk profile and actionable recommendations for emergency preparedness.
3. Additional Synergies
Indirectly, PRAs support other BREEAM USA In-Use: Commercial credits, including:
Category | Credit Code | Credit Name |
Resilience | Rsl 07 | Climate Transition Risks & Opportunities |
Energy | Ene 13 | Solar Photovoltaic (PV) Panels |
Ene 14 | Solar Thermal Panels | |
Ene 10 | Demand-Side Management | |
Water | Wat 07 | Leak Detection System |
Wat 08 | Leak Prevention | |
Wat 10 | Reducing Utility-Supplied Water Consumption | |
Health & Wellbeing | Hea 08 | Ventilation System Air Intakes & Exhausts |
Hea 09 | Carbon Dioxide Sensors | |
Management | Man 01 | Building User Guide |
Man 04 | Environmental Policies & Procedures | |
Resources | Rsc 04 | Future Adaptation |
Why This Crossover Matters
The integration of PRAs with BREEAM USA In-Use: Commercial v6 creates a robust framework for sustainable, resilient buildings. Key benefits include:
Cost Savings: BREEAM-certified buildings reduce operational costs through improved energy and water efficiency, with studies showing payback periods of 2-5 years due to utility savings, while PRAs minimize losses from disruptions, saving on recovery costs.
Enhanced Asset Value: BREEAM certification boosts marketability and tenant retention, with studies showing an 18% rental premium for certified buildings. Resilient features further attract ESG-focused investors.
Occupant Well-Being: PRAs and BREEAM prioritize healthy, equitable spaces, improving occupant satisfaction and productivity.
By leveraging a PRA, property owners can streamline BREEAM certification, enhance resilience, and future-proof their assets against climate risks.
What’s Next in the Series?
This post highlights how PRAs align with BREEAM USA In-Use: Commercial v6 to improve asset performance and achieve sustainability goals.
Stay tuned for Part 3, where we’ll dive into how PRAs complement Green Globes’ practical approach to sustainability and resilience.
Are you pursuing BREEAM USA certification or are interested in learning more about Property Resilience Assessments? Share your insights or questions in the comments and let us know which green building framework you’d like us to cover next! For tailored guidance, contact Nova Group, GBC to learn how we can support your sustainability and resilience goals.
🪪 Erik Eichenlaub, CEM, WELL AP, LEED GA | Climate Services Director
erik.eichenlaub@novagroupgbc.com | (610) 283-1632
👉 Learn more about our Climate Risk & Resiliency Services: Climate Risk & Resiliency | Nova Group, GBC
Comments