Synergies between Sonae Sierra Safety, Health and Environmental Management System and BREEAM In-Use Certification

Challenge

Having analogous objectives, it is common for building Owners and Managers to question if they should implement a Safety, Health and Environmental Management System or a BREEAM In-Use Certification. The key challenge is to understand the differences and synergies between Sonae Sierra SHEMS and a BREEAM In-Use Certification.

Solution

Sonae Sierra SHEMS aims to build and implement a Sustainable culture in the company, in the day-to-day operations, with an important focus on continuous improvement of Safety, Health and Environmental performance.

BREEAM In-Use captures data across nine key sustainability categories and translates them into a robust and authoritative sustainability rating based on the BREEAM standards. This holistic approach provides the opportunity to assess and benchmark assets across a large range of environmental issues collectively.

Having BREEAM In-Use Standard been developed in compatibility with ISO 14001, the touching points between this certification and SHEMS are very expressive, with a significant number of questions being answered by Sonae Sierra SHEMS.

The main difference between these two tools is that a SHEMS is a system that supports teams on the management of Safety, Health and Environment areas and its implementation, while a BREEAM Certification is an assessment that provides an evaluation/score of the building and its management, at a certain time.

Outcome

Both BREEAM In-Use Standard and Safety, Health and Environmental Management System contribute for similar goals and have significant synergies.

Having a good Safety, Health and Environmental Management System in place, is a great starting point to achieve a Very Good rating in BREEAM in-Use, without additional measures.

Although different, when combined these two tools work perfectly together to drive buildings to achieve greater results in terms of sustainable performance, efficiency and recognition.

Highlights

• Shopping Centre 1 benefits from the continuous guidance provided by Sonae Sierra Safety, Health and Environmental Management System.
• Designed to constantly increase eco-efficiency and prevent environmental impacts, SHEMS guaranteed to Shopping Centre 1 the achievement of BREEAM In-Use Very Good rating in Part 1 and Part 2, without any additional measures implemented.