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Sebrae sets the standard for buildings in-use in Brazil

The Sebrae Sustainability Center in Cuiabá, Mato Grosso, is setting the standard for sustainable buildings in Brazil.

The Sebrae Sustainability Center in Cuiabá, Mato Grosso, is setting the standard for sustainable buildings in Brazil. The building has achieved an Excellent rating under BREEAM In-Use International Parts 1 – Asset Performance and Part 2 – Building Management, and is one the first buildings in Brazil to achieve this accolade.

The certificate confirming the BREEAM achievement was presented to Guilherme Afif Domingos, President, and the Sebrae team in a ceremony attended by Wasim Mir, the Deputy Head of Mission at the British Embassy (pictured below).

From left to right Guilherme Afif Domingos President of SEBRAE Nacional Jose Guilherme Barbosa Ribeiro Superintendent Director SEBRAE MT Wasin Mir Deputy Head of Mission British Embassy Orivaldo Barros BRE Director Heloisa Menezes Technical Director of Sebrae Vinicius Lages Director of Administration and Finance Sebrae

“BREEAM In-Use is an international standard used throughout the world to drive sustainability performance and help organisations reduce running costs and environmental footprint” said Martin Townsend, Director of Sustainability at BRE Global, the developers of BREEAM. “Sebrae are helping to set a standard of excellence for buildings, and will also act as a role model for businesses throughout Mato Grosso and Brazil as a whole.”

Orivaldo Barros, BRE Group’s Director for Latin America and International Emerging Markets said at the ceremony  “Today is a day for the celebration of this milestone in Sebrae’s leadership and achievement. Sebrae Sustainability Centre’s adoption of BREEAM is significant element of a long-term collaboration in building a better future for the SME community across Brazil.”

Guilherme Afif Domingos, President of Sebrae Nacional, said “The BREEAM In-Use Excellent certification is a major recognition of Sebrae’s care and attention with the theme of sustainability.”

José Guilherme Barbosa Ribeiro, Superintendent-Director of Sebrae-MT said “The application of sustainability practices in construction and buildings, provides a competitive edge for companies and entrepreneurs that embrace these practices. The adoption of BREEAM not only helps Sebrae to lead by example; it also imposes upon us to continue in our permanent quest for innovation and better built environments.”

Opened in 2010, the centre’s operation focuses on the generation and dissemination of knowledge on sustainability applied to small businesses. Its role is to map innovations, sustainability techniques and practices in Brazil and the world, and show business people how to be more profitable, reduce impacts on the environment and contributing to just and equitable social development.

BREEAM In-Use is now one the fastest growing sustainability standards in the world, with more than 50 countries worldwide using the methodology. BREEAM In-Use helps owners, managers and occupiers to drive sustainable improvements through operational efficiency, including how to continually manage the operation of their building effectively.

The BREEAM In-Use assessment was carried out by MLM Consulting Engineers. Scores of 71.4% Excellent for Part 1, and 83.4% for Part 2 were achieved, with the building and team scoring particularly highly in the waste reduction, land use and ecology, and materials categories.

ENDS

Notes for Editors

  1. BREEAM is the internationally recognised measure of sustainability for buildings and communities. More than 549,000 certificates have been issued under BREEAM on more than 24,000 projects around the world, and over 2.2 million buildings and communities are registered for certification. BREEAM is used in more than 70 countries. More information here.
  1. BREEAM In-Use is an online, international, environmental assessment methodology for independent, third-party assessment and certification of a building’s operational performance. The methodology allows for a separate assessment of asset performance, building management and occupier management, assisting investors, owners and managers in driving efficient and effective building management and operation practices. Performance is reviewed against key categories relating to environmental, social and governance (ESG) responsibilities. Certification provides independent verification that the BREEAM In-Use standard has been met. Ratings range from one star, representing an acceptable level of performance, through to six stars which represents outstanding performance. More information here.
  1. Sebrae is the Brazilian Micro and Small Business Support Service, a non-profit private entity with the mission of promoting the sustainable and competitive development of small businesses. Their role is to foster entrepreneurship, providing guidance to help small businesses to grow and generate more employment, helping to develop the Brazilian economy. The Sebrae Sustainability Centre is the national reference unit of Sebrae on sustainability. Opened in 2010, it operates in the generation and dissemination of knowledge on sustainability applied to SMEs. The building was designed with inspiration from the indigenous housing by inserting techniques and concept of sustainable architecture. The centre is a laboratory of sustainable practices for entrepreneurs, students and public institutions who want to apply and increase their sustainability practices.