Update on the UK Net Zero Carbon Buildings Standard
The UK Net Zero Carbon Buildings Standard (the Standard) has made significant progress since the initiative was kicked off over a year ago, when leading industry bodies - the BBP, the BRE, the Carbon Trust, CIBSE, IStructE, LETI, RIBA, RICS and the UKGBC – first joined forces behind it. We have since been joined by the Property Industry Alliance, the RIAS and the ICE.
Our first quarterly update, published in April of this year, set out why the Standard is needed and how much progress had been made on it. This month we published a Technical Update and Consultation, which formed our second quarterly update.
Based on data from over 4000 buildings and projects submitted in response to our Call for Evidence last December, this consultation document describes the technical fundamentals behind the Standard, sharing the metrics that buildings will be assessed against to demonstrate that they are aligned with what is required for the UK built environment to achieve net zero carbon.
It then describes the work that has been undertaken to gain an understanding of the current operational energy levels (in kWh/sqm/yr) and embodied carbon performance levels (in kgCO2/sqmGIA) that will provide the context of technical feasibility for various sectors. This is the main focus of the consultation.
Finally, we outline the approach being taken to determine relevant budgets for carbon and energy, which will inform the "top-down" limits that will follow in later stages of work.
In addition to asking the industry’s views about the technical requirements which the Standard will be based on, we are also asking for input on more general issues, such as should the Standard mandate off-setting in order that an asset achieves true net zero status, or is it sufficient that it has met carbon and energy requirements that will ensure that the UK built environment sector will stay within our nation’s overall Paris Agreement commitments?
Another key question which we would like to hear the industry’s views on is whether or not a "whole building approach" should be taken to compliance with the Standard, or could occupier and/or owner controlled areas within a building be able to attain net zero carbon status independently of each other?
It is absolutely crucial that we hear from the industry about their views on the work that has been done to date and on the emerging data on which the Standard will be based. By getting involved in the debate, and completing our questionnaire, you can make a real difference to sustainability across the built environment, so I ask that everyone who is interested in this critical issue takes the time to do so.
Finally I would like to acknowledge the huge number of people who have given up their time on this initiative and we are massively grateful for all of their hard work and valuable input.
For more information on the Technical Update
Access the questionnaire
David Partridge is chair of the UK Net Zero Carbon Building Standard programme
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