Another BREEAM certificate for Norway’s second-biggest freight terminal

This is the first certification in Norway according to this BREEAM infrastructure standard and will provide valuable experience in measuring environmental practice in future infrastructure projects.  

“At Bane NOR, we are committed to contributing to the sustainable development of society, and we are working broadly to move more transportation to rail. Even though rail is a greener transportation alternative, we see that our customers are increasingly demanding documentation of this. This certification documents that the operation and maintenance of our terminal is in line with our sustainability ambitions,” says Regional Freight Terminal Manager Ove Algrøy, Bane NOR.

In addition to the BITC, COWI assisted Bane NOR with both design and certification, with great emphasis on building a sustainable and future-oriented freight terminal in Bergen.

Improving environmental practice in large infrastructure

The certification will be an important tool for customers who want to improve sustainability across the entire lifecycle, from design, via construction, to operation and maintenance. It is also possible to certify existing infrastructure. This can help improve the qualities of existing facilities as well as provide documentation of their compliance with environmental regulations and standards when it comes to operation.  

Business Developer Elisabeth Aaserud at COWI emphasises BITC’s great potential in helping large infrastructure owners achieve their sustainability ambitions, adding:

“Since COWI is the first to deliver this certification in the Norwegian market, we are working closely with the certification owners, BRE in the UK, to adapt the Norwegian manual. In Norway, Grønn Bygg Allianse (GBA) manages this standard for BRE, and it gives us completely unique knowledge of this standard. “

The BITC is not a one-off. The operation of the freight terminal must be recertified annually, which requires a continuous focus on maintaining and improving environmental practices. 

BREEAM as a driver of a more sustainable future

By implementing BREEAM certification schemes, we can provide a clear understanding of the environmental impact, energy efficiency and overall sustainability. This can help our customers make more informed investment decisions and secure savings in operating and maintenance costs. Thus, challenging the perception that good quality and sustainability are significantly more costly to design and build than simply adhering to mandatory requirements. 

BREEAM provides a common international framework of assessment and a rating scheme that is tailored to meet the local context. It is a world-leading benchmark, which we can use to support our customers in developing and designing in a sustainable way. 

What is BREEAM?

BREEAM (Building Research Establishment Environmental Assessment Method) is a third-party certification designed to evaluate, specify and measure the environmental performance of the built environment.

The system evaluates sustainability across a range of categories, e.g., pollution (air, water, noise), communities and stakeholders (social and economic effects of a project) and resources (waste reduction and whole life impact) to name a few. Each category is weighted based on its environmental significance, and buildings are rated according to their overall performance.

First launched in the UK in 1990, it has become a leading international standard helping developers, architects and engineers worldwide to create sustainable projects and ensuring that new developments or refurbishment schemes meet sustainability goals. 

Nygårdstangen freight terminal in Bergen

The new freight terminal opened in May 2023 after an extensive renovation to modernise the terminal and double its capacity with the aim of reducing road transportation into Bergen.

The terminal is designed to meet growing transportation demands while supporting sustainability goals. It operates emission-free with electrified tracks, solar-powered buildings and district heating, and charging stations for machinery and equipment.

The freight terminal has achieved the following BREEAM certificates: 

• BREEAM building standard classification “Excellent” (Dec 2024)
• BREEAM Infrastructure Term Contracts classification “Very Good” (March 2025).