UK Net Zero Carbon Buildings Standard

By Leticia del Pulgar Balana

Last week, I attended the CIBSE UK NZC Buildings Standard Webinar, which introduced the Pilot Version of the UK Net Zero Carbon Buildings Standard (NZCBS), launched in September 2024. This pilot provides an initial approach to help the UK transition to net-zero carbon buildings, with input from industry experts. The NZCBS is designed to evolve based on real-world testing and feedback, offering a science-based approach to decarbonising buildings and contributing to the global target of limiting the temperature rise to 1.5°C.

The terms ‘net zero’ and ‘carbon neutral’ are often confused but have distinct meanings. Net zero involves balancing the amount of carbon emitted with an equivalent amount removed from the atmosphere, typically over a year. Carbon neutral, on the other hand, focuses on offsetting emissions through mechanisms like carbon credits, without necessarily reducing emissions at the source.

Launched in 2022, the NZCBS aims to create a rigorous standard for decarbonising buildings, helping the UK achieve its climate goals, including reaching net-zero emissions by 2050. The built environment accounts for about 40% of the UK’s total carbon emissions, so decarbonising buildings is essential for mitigating climate change, reducing energy use, improving air quality, and limiting extreme weather events. The NZCBS sets measurable, science-driven criteria for buildings to be Net Zero Carbon Aligned, considering national carbon budgets and sector-specific targets tailored to various building types.

A key feature of the NZCBS is its focus on real-world performance. Buildings must demonstrate compliance with the standard based on data collected after at least one year of use, ensuring the standard remains relevant and practical. It also addresses both operational and embodied carbon, emphasising energy efficiency, renewable energy, and demand management to reduce overall energy consumption.

In terms of building certifications, NABERS and BREEAM are two prominent systems. NABERS, launched in the UK in 2020, evaluates a building’s operational performance, including energy, water, and emissions, based on real-world data. It has quickly become the leading standard for office buildings in the UK. In contrast, BREEAM, used internationally, covers a broader range of sustainability factors throughout a building’s lifecycle, from design to operation.

The pilot version of the NZCBS is a starting point for industry adoption but lacks a full verification process. Pilot testing will begin in early 2025, gathering feedback from projects at various stages, which will help refine the standard before its full release in late 2025. A third-party verification system is planned to confirm compliance with the standard. Developed with input from over 350 industry experts, the NZCBS aims to provide a practical framework for decarbonising the UK’s built environment and helping the country meet its climate goals.