Certified Cost Professional (CCP)

Correct: Under BREEAM Pol 04 (Reduction of night time light pollution), the primary objective is to ensure that external lighting is concentrated in the required areas and does not cause unnecessary sky glow or light spill. Specifying luminaires with a 0% upward light ratio (ULR) and utilizing shielding are the standard technical requirements to prevent light from being emitted above the horizontal plane, thereby protecting the night sky and local biodiversity.

Incorrect: Focusing solely on luminous efficacy addresses energy efficiency (Ene 03) but fails to mitigate the environmental impact of light spill and sky glow. While motion sensors are useful for energy management, they do not address the physical distribution of light when the lamps are active. High Color Rendering Index (CRI) is a requirement for visual comfort and security (Hea 01) but does not contribute to the reduction of light pollution or the containment of light within the site boundary.

Takeaway: To achieve BREEAM compliance for light pollution, luminaires must be specified with zero upward light distribution and appropriate shielding to contain light within the intended target area.

Correct: To achieve the BREEAM Pol 04 credit, the external lighting must be designed in compliance with the Institution of Lighting Professionals (ILP) Guidance Note 01:2021 (or a national equivalent). This includes adhering to the specific limits for the relevant Environmental Zone (E0-E4) and ensuring that all non-essential lighting is switched off during ‘curfew’ hours, typically defined as 23:00 to 06:00.

Incorrect: Focusing on luminous efficacy and motion sensors relates to energy efficiency and the Ene 03 category rather than the reduction of light pollution. Requiring zero light spill outside the property boundary is not a standard BREEAM requirement, as the ILP guidance allows for specific upward light ratios and light intrusion levels based on the Environmental Zone. Prioritizing high-intensity discharge lamps for security does not inherently satisfy the Pol 04 criteria, which focus on the overall design framework and timing of all external lighting.

Takeaway: BREEAM Pol 04 compliance requires following ILP Guidance Note 01 standards and implementing a mandatory curfew for non-essential external lighting.

Correct: In BREEAM, the Land Use and Ecology and Pollution categories are designed to work in tandem to ensure that a development is environmentally responsible. This involves a hierarchy of actions: first, remediating and reusing land to minimize the pressure on greenfield sites; second, protecting and enhancing the ecological value of the site through professional assessment and native planting; and third, implementing robust technical controls (like SuDS and emission limits) to prevent the building’s operation from polluting the surrounding air, land, and water.

Incorrect: Option b is incorrect because BREEAM aims to go beyond minimum regulatory compliance to achieve best practice in sustainability. Option c is incorrect because refrigerant selection relates specifically to the Pollution category (Impact of Refrigerants) and does not serve as evidence for Land Use and Ecology credits, which focus on biodiversity and site selection. Option d is incorrect because BREEAM explicitly rewards the use of native species and the restoration of ecological functions rather than just aesthetic or ornamental landscaping.

Takeaway: A successful BREEAM assessment requires an integrated strategy that balances the restoration of ecological value with the technical mitigation of operational pollution risks.

Correct: BREEAM International New Construction requires that if invasive species are identified on-site, a specialist management plan must be developed by a Suitably Qualified Ecologist (SQE). This plan must provide a robust strategy for managing, containing, or eradicating the species to prevent its spread, ensuring compliance with both BREEAM standards and local environmental regulations.

Incorrect: Relocating contaminated topsoil to another part of the site is incorrect as it facilitates the spread of the invasive species rather than managing it. Chemical treatment without a specialist plan from an ecologist lacks the required professional oversight and long-term monitoring strategy mandated by BREEAM. A policy of non-disturbance is insufficient because it does not address the existing ecological threat or the potential for the species to spread naturally or through accidental site activity.

Takeaway: BREEAM compliance for invasive species requires a specialist-led management plan focused on professional eradication or containment to protect the local ecosystem.

Correct: BREEAM requires that any invasive species identified on or near the site are managed according to professional advice. A Suitably Qualified Ecologist (SQE) must confirm the identity of the species and provide a robust management plan. This plan must comply with relevant national or regional legislation to prevent the spread of the species and ensure proper eradication or containment, which is essential for securing credits under the Land Use and Ecology category.

Incorrect: Excavating soil without professional identification can lead to the illegal transport of controlled or hazardous waste, as many invasive species require specific disposal protocols. Using herbicides without a managed plan can cause collateral damage to local biodiversity and fail to address the root cause of the infestation. Excluding the area from the assessment boundary is not permitted under BREEAM rules and would be considered a breach of the scheme’s integrity and reporting requirements.

Takeaway: The management of invasive species must be led by a Suitably Qualified Ecologist to ensure legal compliance and the protection of site ecology.

Correct: Under BREEAM International New Construction, the Land Use and Ecology category emphasizes the use of native species to enhance local biodiversity and ensure ecological resilience. A Suitably Qualified Ecologist (SQE) must be involved to ensure the species are appropriate for the specific site conditions. Furthermore, a five-year management plan is a critical requirement to ensure the long-term success of the planting, which directly addresses the regulator’s concerns regarding business continuity and the avoidance of future remediation costs.

Incorrect: Purchasing from local suppliers is beneficial for the carbon footprint but does not ensure that the species are native or ecologically appropriate for biodiversity net gain. Advanced irrigation systems for non-native plants increase operational resource dependency and do not meet the BREEAM objective of selecting species adapted to the local climate. Architect assertions cannot replace the mandatory professional judgment of a Suitably Qualified Ecologist when seeking to demonstrate compliance with ecological credits and long-term habitat viability.

Takeaway: BREEAM compliance for native planting requires professional ecological validation and a long-term management plan to ensure ecological resilience and biodiversity support.

Correct: BREEAM requires that ecological assessments be carried out by a Suitably Qualified Ecologist (SQE). While the SQE can be an employee of the developer or a long-term consultant, they must adhere to a professional code of conduct (such as CIEEM) which mandates objectivity and the application of the mitigation hierarchy (avoidance, mitigation, and compensation). This professional accountability ensures that the biodiversity net gain and ecosystem services are evaluated accurately without being compromised by the developer’s commercial interests.

Incorrect: Appointing a government auditor is not a standard BREEAM requirement for biodiversity credits, as the scheme relies on the SQE’s professional certification. Having an architect sign off on ecological plans focuses on structural issues rather than ecological validity and does not address the conflict of interest or technical requirements of biodiversity net gain. Replacing professional ecologists with volunteers would invalidate the credits, as BREEAM specifically requires a ‘Suitably Qualified Ecologist’ with relevant degrees and professional experience to perform the assessment.

Takeaway: BREEAM biodiversity credits rely on the professional integrity and technical expertise of a Suitably Qualified Ecologist who must follow the mitigation hierarchy and professional ethical standards.

Correct: In BREEAM International New Construction, when the existing public transport infrastructure is insufficient to generate a high Accessibility Index (AI), credits can be achieved through ‘Sustainable Transport Measures’. This involves implementing proactive, site-specific solutions such as a comprehensive travel plan, dedicated shuttle services to bridge the gap to transport hubs, and enhanced facilities for active travel like cycling, which directly reduce the reliance on private car journeys.

Incorrect: Relying on a bus stop 650 meters away with low frequency is incorrect because BREEAM typically requires shorter distances and higher frequencies to award significant points for public transport accessibility. Carbon offsetting is not a valid compliance route for the Transport category, as the scheme focuses on physical and operational improvements to the site and its connectivity. Increasing parking capacity, even for electric vehicles, is generally discouraged in BREEAM as it promotes private vehicle use over more sustainable collective or active transport modes.

Takeaway: When local public transport is limited, BREEAM credits for transport emission minimization are achieved through site-specific travel plans and the provision of dedicated infrastructure for cycling and private transit links.

Correct: Under the BREEAM International New Construction Transport category, specifically within the requirements for a Travel Plan (Tra 05), the project must demonstrate a proactive approach to managing freight and deliveries. This involves creating a strategy that considers the environmental and social impacts of goods movements, such as identifying routes that minimize local congestion, scheduling deliveries to avoid peak hours, and exploring options for load consolidation or the use of sustainable transport modes.

Incorrect: Focusing on a Construction Logistics Plan is incorrect because that addresses the construction phase (typically under the Management category, Man 03), whereas the question concerns operational freight. Expanding the basement for more loading bays is a physical infrastructure solution that does not necessarily reduce the environmental impact or frequency of trips, which is the core goal of the transport credits. Relying on municipal traffic light sequencing is a passive approach that does not constitute a site-specific management strategy as required by BREEAM.

Takeaway: BREEAM requires a proactive, site-specific freight and servicing strategy within the travel plan to minimize the environmental and social impacts of operational deliveries.

Correct: Under the BREEAM International New Construction Man 03 (Responsible Construction Practices) issue, the credit for monitoring construction transport impacts requires the project to record data on transport movements and fuel consumption. This must specifically cover the transport of construction materials to the site and the transport of construction waste from the site. This data collection allows for the assessment and eventual reduction of the carbon footprint and local environmental disruption associated with site logistics.

Incorrect: Implementing a car-pooling scheme relates more to staff travel and commuting, which is handled under different transport credits rather than the specific monitoring of construction logistics impacts. Conducting a one-time traffic impact assessment is a planning-stage activity and does not constitute the ongoing monitoring of actual transport movements required during the construction phase. Verifying Euro 6 standards is a positive environmental measure, but BREEAM specifically requires the tracking of movements, distance, and fuel consumption to quantify the actual impact of the construction process.

Takeaway: BREEAM Man 03 requires active, ongoing monitoring of fuel consumption and transport movements for both material deliveries and waste removal throughout the construction phase.