UK Net Zero Carbon Buildings Standard Release: An Irish Perspective

A pilot version of the UK Net Zero Carbon Buildings Standard has been launched on the 24th of September, representing the UK’s first industry-agreed methodology to define what ‘net zero carbon’ means for the built environment. This is a remarkable milestone and it will provide anyone who wants to fund, procure or design a net zero carbon building with the tools and confidence to do so.

The Standard, created with the aim of filling the need for a unified and clear definition of a Net Zero Carbon Aligned Building, focuses on driving the industry towards energy efficient, fossil fuel free buildings with optimised in-use energy performance. Despite not being mandatory at present, the Standard will pave the way for early adopters to demonstrate alignment with broader ESG & sustainability goals and strengthen asset resilience.

Building types and scope

The UK Net Zero Carbon Buildings Standard addresses buildings in both the residential and non-residential sectors, and is applicable to both new and existing assets.

The pilot version currently published applies to buildings as a whole, meaning that base build and tenanted areas are assessed on their overall performance and the net zero status applies to the asset as a single entity. This can represent a key factor for building owners and investors to elevate the status of their assets.

What are the requirements?

The Standard requires buildings to align with a set of limits, targets, and additional reporting requirements, which are summarised in the table below.

While some of the items revolve around design-stage considerations, such as upfront carbon calculations & fossil-fuel free systems, the operational energy limit must be demonstrated through meter readings on a 12-months rolling basis, with the aim of addressing the performance gap that the industry has faced over the years. This represents a radical shift from design for compliance to design for performance and will give building owners and operators ownership and responsibility in demonstrating alignment on a continuous basis.

How is it verified?

While the pilot version of the Standard provides all the tools for asset owners to collect evidence for submission against the requirements, a verification process is not in place yet, but is expected to be towards the end of 2025. However, adopting the Standard now will prepare assets for future verification and support alignment with existing and forthcoming sustainability regulations at national and European level.

Does it apply to Ireland?

While the Standard itself only applies to the UK, other countries including Ireland can benefit from the principles behind the definition of a Net Zero Carbon Building and can use the learnings from the extensive market and industry research behind the Standard to take informed decisions.

By providing ambitious yet achievable goals for buildings to phase out fossil fuels, reduce their upfront carbon impact, and optimise energy use, the Standard can help investors and owners across Ireland paint a better picture of their assets and portfolios readiness for upcoming standards and regulations; one example is the upcoming transposition of the Energy Performance of Buildings Directive (EPBD) into Irish law. This is set to take effect from 2026 and is expected to share many similarities with the key principles of the UK Net Zero Carbon Buildings Standard.

How can CBRE help?

CBRE can leverage their expertise to help clients align their buildings with the key principles of the Standard.

Our Net-Zero Carbon services allow to measure an assets’ current energy use and carbon emissions, and to create a detailed, scientific-based pathway to net zero carbon emissions through four key steps:

1. Goals and targets setting: Understand assets needs based on standards, frameworks and regulations.
2. Portfolio screening: Get a full picture of a building or portfolio performance and prioritise actions.
3. Net-Zero Carbon Roadmap: Provide a robust pathway to net zero carbon emissions & de-risk capital investment.
4. Monitor: Track progress and optimise energy performance.
   
   
   

Lorenzo De Donatis, a Director in the sustainability team at CBRE, was the sole Irish-based professional to be part of the task group responsible for the development of the UK Net-Zero Carbon Buildings Standard. Having contributed over the past two years to the implementation of the Standard, his firsthand exposure and technical expertise make him very well positioned when it comes to understanding tools, opportunities, and challenges in delivering net zero carbon buildings.