The British Embassy Berlin today brought together German and British experts for a seminar to discuss how to make buildings more environmentally friendly. Sustainable building design and construction not only helps to revitalise the building sector in difficult economic times, but also reduces the use of energy and natural resources, contributing to the fight against climate change. Today’s seminar discussed the role of government and business in the development of new standards for the sustainability of buildings and looked at how Germany and Britain can learn from each other.

The British Embassy in Berlin has been assessed by BREEAM, the leading and most widely used environmental assessment method for buildings. We are pleased to announce that the Embassy building has been awarded the new “BREEAM in Use” certificate. This is a further step in the FCO’s efforts to make its entire network of buildings across the globe more environmentally friendly.

Read the presentations from the seminar (pdf documents):

David Lawrence, European Director, Construction & Development, AIG/Lincoln: Introductory presentation  [6.18 MB, new window]

Hermann Horster, Regional Director, BNP Paribas Real Estate Consult GmbH: Green Building - Does it pay? [610 KB, new window] (in German)

Nicolas Kerz, Bundesinstitut für Bau, Stadt- und Raumforschung: Sustainable Building in Germany: legal framework and market impact  [1.51 MB, new window] (in German)

Tony McLaughlin, Büro Happold: Why should we environmentally label our buildings? [new window, 2.53 MB]

Sarah Sturrock, Deputy Director of Sustainable Buildings, Department for Communities and Local Government: Sustainable Buildings - The English Approach  [650 KB, new window]

Martin Townsend, Director BREEAM: BREEAM - Exciting times   [1.13 MB, new window]

Merten Welsch: Das Zertifizierungssystem des Deutschen Gütesiegels Nachhaltiges Bauen   [1.1 MB, new window] (in German) 

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