Green building BREEAM in Ukraine

Abstract

It is recognised that world construction is responsible for substantial amounts of harmful emissions, so the need to save energy and mitigate environmental problems fostered the concept of a green building. This is structures that are sited, designed, built, renovated and operated to energy efficient guidelines, and that they will have a positive environmental, economic and social impact over their life cycle. The study begins with a review of the main stages through which this technology developed in the Great Britain. Notable successes achieved through green building in the UK are then highlighted. There is excellent potential to implement Building Research Establishment Environmental Assessment Method (BREEAM) in Ukraine because, although the building sector is very active, the technology in current use is not up to international environmental standards. At the same time Ukraine is actively subscribing to international conventions which reduce environmental pollution, and seeks to improve national standards in accordance with international requirements. Examples of BREEAM certified green building are already present in Ukraine, and the general economic and political situation seems ready to welcome implementation of green building throughout the country.