A cross-industry steering group, representing stakeholders across the built
environment, have joined together to develop a Standard for verifying UK buildings as net zero carbon.
The UKGBC’s Whole Life Carbon Roadmap demonstrates that
buildings are directly responsible for around a quarter of carbon emitted by
the UK. There is therefore no credible pathway to net zero for the UK economy
without tackling emissions associated with the construction and operation of
our buildings.
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 will enable industry
to robustly prove their built assets are net zero carbon and in line with our
nation’s climate targets.
Leading industry organisations BBP, BRE, the Carbon Trust, CIBSE, IStructE, LETI, RIBA, RICS, and UKGBC have joined forces to
champion this initiative.
The Standard will cover both new and existing buildings and will set out
performance targets addressing operational energy and embodied carbon emissions
to align with the UK’s 2035 and 2050 emissions targets (78% reduction and net
zero respectively). It will also cover the procurement of renewable energy and
the treatment of residual emissions, including carbon offsetting.
It will be for anyone who wants to fund, procure, design, specify, or occupy
a net zero carbon building and anyone wanting to demonstrate that their
building is net zero-aligned with an industry-agreed standard.
The group are seeking support from stakeholders across the industry to
deliver elements of the Standard. More details on the task groups and other
ways to get involved can be found in the launch document, and
individuals or organisations who wish to contribute should submit an
application by 6 June. The group intends to consult on work at various
stages of its development, with work commencing in July.
Sarah Ratcliffe,
CEO of BBP, said: “A UK Net Zero Carbon Buildings Standard will be critical for
asset owners and managers to evidence that their buildings are built and
operating in line with climate science. An industry wide Standard will enable
stakeholders including investors and occupiers to differentiate between assets
that are net zero and those that are not. It will take radical collaboration to
deliver this project. We look forward to contributing the insights of the BBP’s
members and working with other organisations to create a standard around which
the industry can coalesce."
Dr Shamir Ghumra,
Head of Building Performance Services, BRE said: “The pace of change needed in
the built environment on this issue is getting more significant by the day;
this leading group of organisations from across the spectrum of our sector
coming together to collaborate in this way is testament to the sense of urgency
we all have. Building consensus on this topic is going to bring together all
stakeholders and supply chain organisations in a common consistent framework
which will itself generate greater efficiencies in the marketplace.”
Dominic Burbridge,
Director at the Carbon Trust, said: “We look forward to contributing to the
development of this highly impactful standard, which will be instrumental in
guiding the UK real estate industry, the construction sector and the wider
built environment, in the rapid and urgent transition towards net zero.
Addressing the energy demand of the built environment and the associated
emissions is a key driver in accelerating the move to a sustainable,
decarbonised future and we are excited to be supporting such an important and
pioneering initiative.”
Kevin Mitchell,
CIBSE President and Mott McDonald Global Practice Leader, Building Services
Engineering, said: “CIBSE is delighted to be contributing our expertise to
support this important initiative on Net Zero. It is urgently needed to deliver
a clear standard to demonstrate real outcomes and give trust to clients, owners
and occupiers. We look forward to working with the wide range of parties
committed to deliver the standard.”
IStructE Chief Executive, Martin
Powell, said: “The UK Net Zero Carbon Buildings Standard will
enable individual projects, and thus the wider industry, to understand our
progress in creating buildings with net zero emissions. I am pleased that the
Institution of Structural Engineers will be supporting the development of this
important new Standard.”
Clara Bagenal George,
LETI, said: “Not only will this project deliver much needed clarity on how to
verify net zero carbon buildings in the UK, but it also brings together key
organisations that have been working in this space, to create a robust,
industry-led UK Net Zero Carbon Buildings Standard, created through consensus
and collaboration based on science.”
RIBA President, Simon Allford,
said: “This is a really exciting and timely initiative that will help the
entire industry to move forward in its efforts to reach net zero carbon.
Working together we will address current ambiguities around the much-used term
and develop a common understanding, based on clear performance targets, to
support all those involved in the procurement, design, construction and
operation of buildings.”
Richard Collins,
Interim CEO of RICS, said: “Measurement and analysis play a fundamental role in
progressing sustainability initiatives against targets. The UK Net Zero Carbon
Buildings Standard will provide independent verification that a new or existing
building that claims to be net zero, stands up to that claim. It will provide
essential data for a range of decision makers. This is a big step forward to
net zero and RICS and its members look forward to providing this key data that
will support the UK’s transition to a decarbonised economy.”
Julie Hirigoyen,
CEO of UKGBC, said: “The Standard will leverage the invaluable data behind
UKGBC’s Net Zero Whole Life Carbon Roadmap for the Built Environment to
establish performance targets which are aligned with science-based trajectories
as a vital step towards our industry’s transition to net zero. UKGBC looks
forward to working with industry on the development of this Standard to
underpin the credibility of all future net zero carbon building claims.”
