01
The value pyramid
These labels are not competitors: they are building blocks that stack on top of one another. Regulation forms the foundation, general-purpose labels are added to it, and specialist labels sit at the top.
- Legal foundationRE2020
- Mandatory. Without it there is no building permit: it is the legal minimum.
- General-purpose labelsBREEAM, HQE, LEED
- Voluntary. They take a holistic view of the building (energy, water, biodiversity) and are seen as the standard by investors.
- Specialist labelsWELL, BBCA, R2S
- Added on top to address a specific issue: carbon, health or data.
02
General-purpose labels and the law
The table compares the mandatory regulation, RE2020, with the three general-purpose labels: BREEAM, HQE and LEED.
| RE2020 | BREEAM | HQE | LEED | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Philosophy | Mandatory, it is the law | Pragmatic and holistic | People and comfort | Energy and prestige |
| Engineering cost | Included in the engineering consultancy’s brief | €15k to €35k | €20k to €45k | €25k to €50k |
| Additional construction cost | +5% compared with RT2012 | 0.4 to 1.5% | 2 to 5% | 2 to 6% |
| Return on investment | Not applicable | +10% value | +8% value | +12% rent |
03
Specialist labels
These labels are often added to a general-purpose label to address a particular issue: carbon, health or data.
| BBCA | WELL | R2S | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Focus | Materials and carbon | Occupants and wellbeing | Data and connectivity |
| Engineering cost | €5k to €15k | €20k to €40k | €8k to €15k |
| Additional construction cost | 3 to 8% | 3 to 6% | €15 to €30/m² |
| Main return | Access to green finance | −20% absenteeism | −15% maintenance |
04
Which combination for your project?
Our recommendations by project type and objectives.
| Profile | Objective | Combination |
|---|---|---|
| Cautious investor | Maximum liquidity and international compliance | RE2020 and BREEAM Very Good |
| High-end headquarters | Attract talent and project a cutting-edge image | LEED Gold, WELL Gold and R2S 2 stars |
| Public sector and low carbon | Climate leadership and user comfort | HQE Excellent and BBCA Performant |