Initially launched in 2022, this groundbreaking project sets out to consolidate Net Zero Carbon requirements for all major building types - aligning with the UK's 1.5°C climate trajectory. Supported by key industry organizations, such as BBP, BRE, the Carbon Trust, CIBSE, IStructE, LETI, RIBA, RICS, and UKGBC, this standard marks a turning point in the construction industry's decarbonization efforts.
Until now, there hasn’t been a single, agreed methodology that sets the standard across the industry. This newly launched standard provides a much-needed consistent framework to evaluate and verify buildings as ‘net zero carbon,’ ensuring alignment with the UK’s climate targets. Importantly, it offers a consistent approach that can be used as the basis for verification by independent bodies.
It sets measurable performance targets for key aspects like energy use, embodied carbon, and space heating/cooling demands, offering clarity to built environment professionals, asset owners, and investors involved in the funding, design, or operation of net zero carbon buildings.
Responding to this standard, Will Arnold, Head of Climate Action at IStructE, said:
“As the UK construction industry continues its decarbonisation journey, the launch of the UK Net Zero Carbon Buildings Standard is a game-changer, providing long-needed clarity on what it means to design and build in alignment with the UK’s 2050 net zero laws. Developed through collaboration across multiple industry bodies, the Standard sets out clear, measurable limits for both operational and embodied carbon, helping ensure our buildings meet the 1.5°C climate trajectory. This is a vital step forward, offering engineers and designers a unified framework to help drive decarbonisation across all sectors of the built environment.”
Charles Rothnie, Senior Engineer & member of the Net Zero Carbon Group at Perega, said:
“The launch of the Net Zero Carbon Building Standard represents important progress in the UK’s pathway to net zero. This industry-agreed standard can be used by anyone wanting to demonstrate that their building is net zero carbon, and potentially used by policymakers to set net zero requirements. The aim is that achieving agreed targets & limits will become normal for most of the UK’s buildings in the future.”
Smith Mordak, CEO of UK Green Building Council & UKNZCBS Governance Board member, said:
“The launch of the standard marks a pivotal moment in our journey towards the UK’s net zero goals. Borne out of radical cross-industry collaboration, the standard is the UK's first net zero standard for the built environment that brings together national carbon budgets, project-scale targets, and limits to create a robust definition of a building that responds to a science-led trajectory to net-zero.
“I’m proud of the role the UKGBC played in convening the industry and helping to initiate the development of the Standard. It builds on the collective efforts from across industry, including our 2019 Framework Definition for net zero carbon buildings.”
