# How the Implementation of BREEAM in Hotels Could Help to Achieve the SDGs
## 1 Introduction  
In 2015, the Heads of State and Government of 193 countries met at the 70 th General Assembly of the United Nations and approved the resolution of \"The 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development\". This plan establishes 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and 169 targets to be achieved by 2030 that are currently considered a global emergency to mitigate and balance the three dimensions of sustainable development: the economic, social and environmental [1]. The EU is playing an active role and will implement the 2030 Agenda domestically and globally in cooperation with partner countries [2]. Furthermore, the New Urban Agenda adopted in October 2016 at the United Nations Conference aims to accelerate the achievement of the SDGs. Particularly, it prioritizes the making of cities safer, more inclusive and sustainable by adopting a smart-city approach [3]. Smart-city models require specific strategies to optimize their resources, reduce its waste and recycle; in this context, the generation of a circular economy plays an important role [4]. As demonstrated in the past few decades, sustainable development has been fundamental in the tourism and construction sectors [5]. Nowadays, developing countries are leaders in green engineering procedures, and progressively, hotels are including sustainable standards in their designs, architecture and management [6]. The World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) has stated that tourism contributes directly or indirectly to the achievement of all the SDGs and is particularly included in objectives 8, 12 and 14. 1. SDG 8. \"Promote inclusive and sustainable economic growth, employment and decent work for all\" [7]. Travel and tourism maintain a total of 319 million jobs worldwideand induce 10% of all jobs [6,8]. The contribution of the tourism sector is specified in target 8.9 \"By 2030 devise and implement policies to promote sustainable tourism which creates jobs, promotes local culture and products\" [1,9]. 2. SDG 12. \"Ensure sustainable consumption and production patterns\" [7]. By adopting responsible consumption and production practices, the tourism sector can significantly accelerate the shift towards a more sustainable planet [7]. The One Planet Sustainable tourism Program aims to improve the impact of tourism on sustainable development through the promotion of responsible consumption and production practices, which use natural resources and generate less waste [10]. 3. SDG 14. \"Conserve and sustainably use the oceans, seas and marine resources\" [7]. It is specified in target 14.7 \"By 2030 increase the economic benefits to Small Islands Developing States (SIDS) and Least Developed Countries (LDCs) from the sustainable use of marine resources, including through sustainable management of fisheries, aquaculture and tourism\" [1]. Integrated coastal zone management must include tourism development to preserve fragile marine ecosystems and promote a blue economy [7]. _BREEAM and the Sustainable Development Goals_  
BREEAM supports the SDGs and notes how it significantly contributes to the achievement of the following goals by applying these methods [11]:  
1. SDG 3. Health and Well-being. The building must guarantee minimum requirements for comfort and health. 2. SDG 6. Clean Water and Sanitation. Buildings must install systems that save water as well as monitor their consumption. 3. SDG 7. Affordable and clean energy. It promotes the installation of renewable energy sources and the use of low consumption appliances and lighting. 4. SDG 9. Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure. Rate and promote those projects that create or offer new sustainable solutions. 5. SDG 11. Sustainable Cities and Communities. An urban environment requires different measures to those applied in a single building; therefore, the certificate proposes a tool that evaluates and certifies urbanized spaces. 6. SDG 12. Sustainable Consumption and Production. It requires eco-labels that guarantee the responsible sourcing of materials used on site. 7. SDG 13. Climate Action.