Our Supporters
The work we do would not be possible without the contribution of our supporters. A number of these are listed below. Find out more about how you can support us here.
Contact QSAND
BRE Trust
BRE Trust is the largest UK charity dedicated to research and education in the built environment. It was set up to advance knowledge, innovation and communication for public benefit. The Trust uses all profits made by the BRE Group to fund new research and education programmes and to promote its charitable objectives.
BRE Group’s Research Director, Deborah Pullen, said “The BRE Trust’s mission is to create a sustainable built environment for everyone. We are delighted to be able to jointly fund this this work with IFRC and support the work that QSAND undertakes.”
IFRC
The International Federation of the Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) is the world’s largest volunteer-based humanitarian organisation. The IFRC, together with its 189 member National Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies, reaches 85 million people through disaster response and early recovery programmes. Though well-known for its vital work in emergency and crisis, the IFRC also reaches 97 million people annually through long term and development programmes.
Graham Saunders*, Head of Shelter and Settlements of IFRC “QSAND is a much needed tool to benchmark the sustainability of the different elements that comprise a community or settlement. The partnership between IFRC and BRE has been key to the development of QSAND, combining IFRC’s experience and leadership in disaster response and BRE’s expertise in developing and applying the leading construction industry tool to assess building sustainability.”
*We were very sorry to hear about the passing of Graham Saunders. He was instrumental in the inception of QSAND and a strong supporter of the tool
BREEAM
BREEAM is the world’s leading sustainability assessment method for master planning projects, infrastructure and buildings. It recognises and reflects the value in higher performing assets across the built environment lifecycle, from new construction to in-use and refurbishment. BREEAM does this through third party certification of the assessment of an asset’s environmental, social and economic sustainability performance, using standards developed by BRE.
Shamir Ghumra, BREEAM Director says that “we see QSAND as the charitable arm of BREEAM, which includes supporting and promoting the funding activities that will help ensure it remains freely accessible to those who are working to create sustainable, resilient built environments for disaster affected communities.”
Alan Yates, Technical Director – BREEAM says that “In developing QSAND we drew on our knowledge, expertise and proven track record built up since the early 90’s to create a standard tailored to the humanitarian section. Like BREEAM, QSAND champions the importance of adopting a holistic approach, and realising sustainable outcomes for those affected by natural disaster whilst reflecting the practicalities of doing this in a post-disaster environment.”
CRS
Catholic Relief Services (CRS) mission is to assist impoverished and disadvantaged people overseas, working in the spirit of Catholic social teaching to promote the sacredness of human life and the dignity of the human person. Although their mission is rooted in the Catholic faith, their operations serve people based solely on need, regardless of their race, religion or ethnicity. Within the United States, CRS engages Catholics to live their faith in solidarity with the poor and suffering people of the world.
“Our collaboration with BRE is designed to create a focal point for demonstration and research in the provision of humanitarian shelters” says Jamie Richardson, Shelter and Settlements Technical Advisor for CRS. “Our aims are to share information with stakeholders and the wider public and media on these issues” says Jamie “It will be part of our outreach to building professionals and materials experts, and act as a stimulus for wider research and understanding on issues such as climate change resilience and sustainability”.
BRE Academy
BRE Academy is an international provider of training, education programmes and blended learning for professionals and employers with various online learning. The BRE Academy supports QSAND with free access to their facilities, software and relevant courses when necessary. The BRE Academy works in partnership with customers and the income that the Academy makes goes back into the cutting-edge research and innovation that its parent, BRE Trust, funds.
We are delighted to partner with QSAND to promote and support learning about sustainability and resilience, before and after natural disasters” says Pauline Traetto, Director of BRE Academy, “Education on these areas is of paramount importance to better understand what measures to take and the impact disasters can have on health and wellbeing as well as buildings and the environment, especially with increasing impacts from climate change. We look forward to working with QSAND in a range of areas in the future.”
