Pilot Version of UK Net-Zero Carbon Buildings Standard Launches

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27 September 2024 | Updated 01 October 2024

An industry-first net-zero standard for the built environment has launched.

The standard will be the first agreed methodology for defining “net zero carbon” for buildings in the UK and is championed by BBP, BRE, the Carbon Trust, CIBSE, IStructE, LETI, RIBA, RICS, and UKGBC. 

Katie Clemence-Jackson, Chair of the Standard’s Technical Steering Group, said: “The Standard has been created not just using industry data on what is achievable, but also cross-referencing this with ‘top down’ modelling of what is needed to decarbonise our industry in line with 1.5°C aligned carbon and energy budgets. It covers all the major building sectors, as well as both new and existing buildings.  

“With access to the Standard, the built environment industry is equipped to target, design and operate buildings to be net zero carbon aligned, driving the positive change that we need to meet our climate goals. 

“I would like to thank all our volunteers from across the built environment who have contributed their time, experience and knowledge to allow us to develop a robust Standard. This has been an immensely collaborative process, and we couldn’t have achieved it without your support.” 

The UK Net-Zero Carbon Buildings Standard aligns with limiting global temperature rise to 1.5°C, ensuring buildings stay within national carbon and energy budgets.

It covers both new and existing buildings across major UK sectors, including mandatory requirements for building performance and construction quality. A range of topics are addressed, such as upfront carbon, operational energy use, avoidance of fossil fuel use on-site, renewables and refrigerants.

The steering group is seeking applications for buildings to be used as pilot projects, the feedback from which will be incorporated into the publication of Version 1 of the Standard. Industry testing starts in 2025 to gather feedback before the final version's release.

You can download the UK Net Zero Carbon Buildings Standard here.

Picture: a photograph of a person holding a lightbulb towards the camera, with lit fairy lights coming out of it. Image Credit: Unsplash

Article written by Ella Tansley | Published 27 September 2024

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