In line with Pillar 3 of the MNB's supervisory Green programme, the central bank is continuously working to make not only the financial sector but also its own operations more sustainable. The MNB is also setting an example by making documents demonstrating sustainable operations available to the public in a transparent manner.
Environmentally and people-friendly office operation
EMAS certificate
Our BREEAM certificates
The BREEAM environmental rating system
BREEAM (Building Research Establishment Environmental Assessment Method) is the market-leading environmental rating system in Europe, but is recognised worldwide and takes into account country-specific characteristics as well. The whole process of property development is considered as a whole, but is also analysed and assessed in detail in terms of environmental sustainability, functional harmony and comfort, taking into account the following:
- Impact of the structure on the environment
- Using innovative methods to minimise environmental impact
- Achieving a level of quality that exceeds specifications and standards
- Reducing operation and maintenance costs
- Energy saving
- People-centred design approach
- Efficient and environmentally sound design and use of construction materials
The
European international framework (BREEAM International) has been developed for
new office, commercial and industrial building types. For other uses, such as
hotels, residential or school buildings or groups of buildings, the BRE rating
is the BREEAM International Bespoke, developed for the project and adopted by
the Centre, and existing buildings are rated under the BREEAM Europe in-Use
scheme.
The
development of the rating system is ongoing, and the BREEAM In-Use system for
used, finished buildings is now spreading in Europe, following the UK, and is
also in operation in Hungary. The interesting thing about BREEAM In-Use is that
you do not need to be a qualified assessor to use it, anyone can undertake assessments
(the finished work is audited by a qualified person).
The
certification covers a wide range of areas, from energy to health and
well-being, or transport. The assessment also covers water use and waste
management, ecology, transport, environmental pollution and material use. In
the case of materials, for example, the reuse and environmental friendliness of
the materials used in the operation is an important consideration. Of course,
the use of BREEAM and other rating systems (e.g. the American LEED) is
motivated not only by environmental commitment, but also by the fact that they
are excellent marketing tools. In practice, certification also means easier
marketability, if only because of the expected low maintenance costs.
However,
based on the various evaluation criteria, one of the most important areas under
development is the increase in the added value of operators, which is
incorporated into environmentally conscious operation through a change in their
approach and the materials and technologies they use. In the long term, even in
the highest category of buildings, sloppy property management can be a barrier
to sustainability and the green cause.