Multi-criteria certificates in Poland and their significance in construction
In recent years construction in Poland has been moving towards sustainability, taking environmental, social and economic needs into account. Multi-criteria certificates are an important element of this process, as they make it possible to assess buildings in terms of their impact on the environment, energy efficiency and user comfort. Wondering what exactly this term means? Read on and find out what you need to know about multi-criteria certificates.
Multi-criteria certification – what does the term mean?
Multi-criteria certification is a process of assessing buildings that is based on analysing various aspects of their design, construction and operation. The factors taken into account include:
- energy efficiency;
- water savings;
- building materials;
- carbon dioxide emissions;
- accessibility for users;
- indoor air quality;
- location and access to public transport.
The certification process is carried out by independent organisations. The aim is to create buildings that are not only friendly to the planet, but also meet high standards of usability and health.
Types of multi-criteria certificates in Poland
Various multi-criteria certification systems are available in Poland; they correspond to international standards and are becoming increasingly important in the construction industry. The most popular include:
- BREEAM (Building Research Establishment Environmental Assessment Method) – one of the best-known building assessment systems. BREEAM focuses on analysing the management of the investment project, energy consumption, the energy efficiency of materials, the comfort of using the building, location, water and wastewater management, waste management, land use, limiting pollutant emissions and modern technologies. Each category is assessed individually, and then a percentage score is calculated on the basis of the total number of points. The rating scale has six levels. Buildings that obtain less than 30% of the points do not qualify for a certificate.
- LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) - the certificate assesses buildings in terms of energy efficiency, sustainable water management, indoor environmental quality and innovation in design. The score obtained allows the property to be classified in one of four certificate categories – Certified, Silver, Gold and Platinum.
Summary
Multi-criteria certificates in construction are a mark of quality and an expression of responsibility towards the planet as well as society. Their growing popularity in Poland testifies to a change in approach to the design and delivery of construction projects, which increasingly take ecological, economic and social aspects into account. Thanks to them, sustainable construction is becoming the standard rather than the exception. If you are looking for a house with a BREEAM or LEED certificate, be sure to contact me. As an experienced estate agent in Katowice, I offer comprehensive support throughout the purchase process – from finding the ideal house, through negotiating the terms of the agreement, to finalising the transaction.
