Pilot Testing is Underway!
The launch of the Pilot Version of the Standard in 2024 marked the culmination of an incredible collaboration from experts across the UK Built Environment Industry. The Pilot Version of the Standard enables industry to robustly prove their built assets are net zero carbon and in line with our nation’s climate targets.
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Following publication, the team behind the UK Net Zero Carbon Buildings Standard is excited to be continuing our engagement through industry through trailing the Standard on real projects. The Pilot Testing scheme is now underway and is designed to gather feedback on the process of implementing the Standard across a variety of sectors and project stages.
The progress we have made to date couldn’t have been achieved without the hard work of our talented and dedicated volunteers.
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Thank you to our leading organisations BBP, BRE, CIBSE, Carbon Trust, IStructE, LETI, RIBA, RICS and UKGBC who joined forces to champion this initiative.
UK Net Zero Carbon Buildings Standard
The UK's first cross- industry Net Zero Carbon Buildings Standard that brings together Net-Zero Carbon requirements for all major building types, based on a 1.5°C trajectory.
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Whilst significant progress has been made in defining what ‘net zero’ means for buildings in the UK, a process of market analysis showed a clear demand for a single, agreed methodology.
The UK Net Zero Carbon Buildings Standard enables industry to robustly prove their built assets are net zero carbon and in line with our nation’s climate targets.
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The UKNZCBS aligns as far as possible with existing Net Zero initiatives and standards. Want to know more? See our FAQs page for further information.
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More detail on the UK Net Zero Carbon Buildings Standard
What does it cover?
The Standard sets out metrics by which net zero carbon aligned performance is evaluated, as well as limits and targets that need to be met. These cover operational energy use, embodied carbon, on-site renewable electricity and refrigerants amongst others, as well as the need to avoid fossil fuel use on site. It also covers the approach to carbon accounting, reporting and submitting mandatory evidence to demonstrate that a building is NZC aligned, as well as the methodology for choosing to offset residual carbon emissions (should compliance at the asset level to the ‘Net Zero Carbon Building Aligned (+plus offsets)’ criteria be sought.).
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Claims will be required to be verified by a third party based on in-use measured data. The verification process is not fully detailed in the Pilot Version, but will be released in the future.
Who is it for?
The Standard is for developers, contractors, asset owners and managers, occupiers, investors, financiers and funders, consultants, building industry professionals, building managers and product/material manufacturers, suppliers, and distributors. It is for anyone who wants to either fund, procure, design, or specify a net zero carbon aligned building using an industry-agreed Standard.
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Is it science-led?
The Standard’s limits and targets have been created to align built environment carbon emissions with our industry’s carbon and energy budgets. The trajectory is based on achieving net zero carbon within our industry by 2050, i.e. what is known to be required to stand a reasonable chance of mitigating global warming to 1.5°C. The Standard also aligns with the energy demand reductions projected to be required to enable a net zero carbon energy supply sector.
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What building types does it apply to?
The approach is applicable to both existing and new buildings in the following sectors: Commercial Residential; Culture and Entertainment; Data Centres; Healthcare; Higher Education; Homes; Hotels; Offices; Retail; Schools; Science and Technology; Sport and Leisure; Storage and Distribution. Together, these sectors make up the majority of the UK’s building stock. Within each of these sectors we worked with experts to collate the most robust performance data available in order to set our limits. The Standard will not apply to infrastructure.