What you need to know... the UK Net Zero Carbon Buildings Standard

The UK Net Zero Carbon Building Standard (the ‘Standard’) was launched in September 2024.

The Standard is not the easiest document to digest with additional notes and citations as well as new acronyms, abbreviations and dozens of metrics.

We have reviewed the 126-page document (and associated publications) and watched the 1hr 30minute launch webinar to compile a list of 16 questions, answering what you need to know, now.

If you want to download the standard or watch the launch webinar, you can do so here:

Pilot Version | UK Net Zero Carbon Buildings Standard

What is it?

A new standard that unifies the definition for ‘Net Zero Carbon Aligned Buildings’ in the UK, underpinned by an evidence-based reporting methodology.

It is a standard, not a certification scheme or an assessment tool. You can claim compliance with the standard if all mandatory requirements are met.

Why is it needed?

Climate science shows that, to prevent the worst impacts of climate change on people and natural ecosystems, the planet’s average temperature rise needs to be limited to 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels.

The Standard is science-led and balances top down energy and carbon budgets (what is required to be achieved) with bottom up energy and carbon expenditures (what can currently be achieved) to enable the UK to remain on a 1.5°C trajectory.

The purpose of the Standard is to:

1. Identify a deliverable route to net zero carbon for the UK built environment as a whole;

2. Discern the wider systemic actions required to enable the UK real estate sector to conform to the necessary net zero carbon pathway;

3. Ensure that any building claiming to be ‘Net Zero Carbon Aligned’ is achieving energy and emissions performance sufficient to keep the cumulative totals within the UK’s remaining carbon and energy budgets.

How does it achieve this?

The Standard establishes minimum reporting requirements, along with limits, targets and recommendations.

The Standard is based on in-use, actual performance data rather than predictive/modelled data.

The Standard requires a verification process to claim compliance.

Who is it for?

The Standard is for everyone connected with the UK’s real estate industry.

Why has another carbon standard document been published?

The Standard has been published to address the need for consistent rules, both to reduce spurious claims around net zero carbon, and to accelerate the design, construction and use of buildings that deliver lower-carbon outcomes in line with the UK’s legally binding carbon targets.

The Standard has been led by a coalition of Professional Institutions, industry bodies and leaders in the field who recognise the need for consistency and robustness. It has been published by Net Zero Carbon Buildings Standard Ltd and has been led by the Technical Steering Group which has comprises of representatives from:

• Better Buildings Partnership

• BRE

• CIBSE

• Carbon Trust

• IStructE

• LETI

• RIBA

• RICS

• UKGBC

Does the Standard require a new methodology?

The whole life carbon assessment is compliant with the existing RICS Professional Standard: Whole Life Carbon Assessment for the Built Environment 2nd Edition, V3.

However, there are additional reporting requirements.

What will I be able to claim?

If you meet all the minimum requirements and meet the applicability criteria you will be able to submit your assessment for verification to claim:

• Net Zero Carbon Aligned Building OR

• Net Zero Carbon Aligned Building (with offsets)

  
  

Which buildings are applicable?

You can use the Standard if your building is:

• Located within the UK

• New or existing

• Classified within a relevant sector

  • Commercial Residential;

  • Culture and Entertainment;

  • Data Centres;

  • Healthcare;

  • Higher Education;

  • Homes;

  • Hotels;

  • Offices;

  • Retail;

  • Schools;

  • Science and Technology;

  • Sport and Leisure;

  • Storage and Distribution.

Is it mandatory?

No. It is a voluntary standard.

Is there government buy-in?

No. It has been produced by industry for industry.

Members of the government have been made aware of the Standard and are monitoring the success of the Standard.

Can I claim compliance at PC?

No. Buildings must be occupied (at/above minimum occupancy levels) for 12 months before compliance can be claimed.

The limits and targets set by the Standard are only applicable to completed works and fully-operational buildings so no claim of conformity or alignment with this Standard can be made during the design and construction phases of a project.

How long is a claim valid for?

12 months.

Therefore, ongoing verification is required every 12 months.

Is it achievable?

The Standard has been designed to be ambitious but achievable.

The only true way to know if the limits and targets are achievable is to implement the Standard and test it out.

Is this the final version?

The current publication is the Pilot Version and it is ready to be used.

However, as pilot (and subsequent) projects feed back their data, the limits, targets and recommendations will be updated. Additionally, as the required metrics are reported back, the dataset will grow and enable additional limits, targets and recommendations to be introduced.

The Standard specifically states that the following will be introduced in future versions:

• Life cycle embodied carbon limits;

• Space heating and/or cooling limits across further sectors and building types;

• Electricity demand management limits;

• Progression of the energy performance metrics to reflect additional energy uses, or intensity of use;

• Options for delineation between areas or between responsibilities (e.g., for base build or for tenanted offices to assess their performance separately);

• Incorporation of recognised standards or schemes that can be used to demonstrate areas of equivalence.

Furthermore, if (when) the UK carbon and energy budgets are revised, the Standard may be updated to reflect this.

Version 1 is planned for late 2025.

How much does it cost?

Whilst the actual Standard does not charge any fees for compliance, there will undoubtedly be associated costs.

There has been little mention of this to date, but it is anticipated that the following will be required:

• Net zero carbon coordinator – not a mandatory role but it is a recommended appointment to advise and steer the claimant and the design team.

• Whole life carbon assessment – a RICS compliant WLCA is required as well as additional reporting metrics

• Verification – an independent 3rd party verifier will review all reporting data.

• Design changes – this will be very much on a project-by-project basis but design changes and their associated costs may be required for the building to meet the limits and targets.

• Construction – again this will be project-specific but to meet the limits, there may be the need to reduce construction emissions by procuring local materials, using alternative construction methods or utilising renewable energy in onsite processes. These may result in additional costs.

• Modelling – whilst no modelling is required by the Standard, it will certainly be required through the design and construction phases to ensure that the final building will meet the specified targets and limits.

• Offsets – if you wish to claim net zero carbon at the asset level you will typically need to purchase and retire carbon credits.

What next?

Pilot projects will be used to feedback into The Standard, enabling Version 1 to be published in late 2025. Version 1 will also include details on the verification process which is currently omitted from the Pilot version.

An Information Pack will be released that will share the technical background information along with the top-down/bottom-up balancing carried out to set limits and the key messages from that exercise. This will be published at the end of 2024.

The take home message from the Pilot launch webinar is that the NZCBS needs your input to make it a success:

Ask for it; Require it; Alight with it; Implement it; Conform to it.

If you have a current of upcoming project and are keen to implement the standard, applications to be a part of the Pilot Testing Scheme are currently being accepted. Get in touch to find out more information or you can register your interest directly, here:

Pilot Testing | UK Net Zero Carbon Buildings Standard