Net Zero Carbon Buildings Standard launches public consultation

BRE, in collaboration with the construction and built environment sector, is working to create robust and practical solutions to the global climate crisis.

An essential component in creating a sustainable future for the UK’s building industry is the ability to accurately measure, define, and verify that an asset’s construction and operation is in line with net zero carbon building definitions, aspirations, and targets.

The Net Zero Carbon Buildings Standard (NZCBS) is the first of its kind in the UK. Major industry advocates of sustainability, including BBP, the Carbon Trust, CIBSE, IStructE, LETI, RIBA, RICS, and UKGBC, champion the standard, which looks to define net zero and help industry towards a zero carbon future.

NZCBS is currently holding a consultation which describes the technical fundamentals behind the standard, and shares the metrics that will be used to assess buildings. BRE welcomes your contributions to the development of the NZCBS. Please sign up here to take part.

The NZCBS sets out how to measure an asset’s net zero limits, targets, and performance requirements. The NZCBS targets take into account the building’s type/function and utilises data on what is possible to achieve for each type of building.

The limits will be developed using both top-down carbon budgets and bottom-up data from existing buildings. This is to get the best of both methodologies. On the top down side, this used the UK’s sixth carbon budget.

The NZCBS is intended to be used for both newly constructed and existing buildings.

The standard will initially focus on common building types as industry stakeholders have already collected a significant amount of data on these assets. At present, the standard aims to develop building performance limits and targets for the following building types: homes, offices, schools and further education, healthcare, sport and leisure, retail, culture and the environment, heritage, science and technology, hotels, commercial residential, logistics/warehouses and data centres.

Anyone with an interest or requirement related to net zero carbon buildings will find the NZCBS useful. Developers, contractors, asset owners and managers, occupiers, investors, financiers and funders, consultants, building industry professionals, building managers and product/material manufacturers, suppliers, and distributors are stakeholders of the standard.

It is for any party that wants to fund, procure, design, or specify a net zero carbon building, or demonstrate that an asset is truly net zero carbon in accordance with an industry-recognised standard.

The technical update proposes performance levels for an array of buildings and sectors, giving industry a chance to review and respond to them.

These performance levels do not represent any energy or carbon limits an asset must meet – rather, they provide context of technical feasibility for participating sectors. The NZCBS includes a summary of the evidence provided. The data from the consultation will help set the best practices for the standard.

NZCBS are also requesting more embodied carbon data, alongside further support to help define operational performance levels on energy use.

We invite all built environment stakeholders and interested parties to contribute to the consultation, which remains open until August 31st, 2023.

There are a series of talking points raised within the consultation document, which respondents can reply to as part of the consultation.

A webinar took place earlier last month allowing stakeholders to ask questions about the consultation and standard. You can watch a recording here.

Chris Pout, BRE’s principal net zero consultant and also sits on the NZCBS technical steering group,” said: “The performance standards being established are firmly rooted in science and mirror the UK carbon budget allocated to the building sector.

“The standard’s introduction will bring much-needed clarity to the definition of net zero carbon buildings. This will streamline the process of both specifying and delivering such buildings, while also curbing unfounded claims of achieving net zero status.

“What stands out is the collaborative nature of the development process, which involves a diverse array of stakeholders. This ensures that the definitions of net zero carbon buildings are not only technically robust but also practically feasible.”

The standard emphasises the importance of accurate measurement and evaluation of a building’s net zero status, whilst also promoting the adoption of sustainable materials throughout the construction process.

BRE welcomes your contributions to the development of the NZCBS. Please sign up here to take part.