POLICY
Comply with the UK Net Zero Carbon Buildings Standard
FOLLOW THE UK NZCBS FRAMEWORK WITH PLANET MARK
The UK Net Zero Carbon Buildings Standard (UK NZCBS) is a framework for reducing carbon emissions when designing, constructing, and operating buildings.
It sets requirements for making ambitious reductions across a building’s operational and embodied carbon, helping to drive the UK’s built environment sector closer to achieving net zero. The NZCBS is currently in its Pilot Version, but is expected to launch fully by the end of 2025 – giving buildings the chance to become officially net zero verified.
We’re proud to have supported the development of these critical standards. Keep reading to learn more about meeting them, and how we can help.
UK Net Zero Carbon Buildings Standard – at a glance
Are you compliant with the UK Net Zero Carbon Buildings Standard? Download the UK NZCBS starter guide for everything you need to know, at a glance.
Future-proof your buildings by aligning with net zero regulations now
Strengthen your chances of winning tenders and investment
Reduce costs across the supply chain by prioritising energy efficiency
Meeting the Standard
We’re proud to have supported the development of the Net Zero Carbon Buildings Standard. As such, our dedicated Policy team has a deep understanding of the framework and how organisations can align with it.
If you’d like to understand the NZCBS in more detail, don’t hesitate to get in touch.
Is the Net Zero Carbon Buildings Standard mandatory?
Aligning with the NZCBS framework is voluntary.
However, it’s likely that these standards will influence mandatory legislation in the future. Preparing to meet net zero standards now will help you stay resilient.
What’s more, demonstrating that you’re committed to net zero is becoming increasingly important within the built environment value chain. Although the UK Net Zero Carbon Buildings Standard isn’t mandatory by law, you may begin to see customer contracts ask for verification that you’re aligned.
Who should follow the UK NZCBS?
The standard applies to those connected with the UK’s real estate industry. It’s applicable to both existing and new buildings in the following sectors:
- Homes, offices, hotels, education and commercial residentials
- Sports and leisure, culture and entertainment, and retail
- Science and technology, healthcare, storage and distribution and data centres
How do you comply with the NZCBS?
The Net Zero Carbon Buildings Standard framework lays out carbon and energy budgets. To be compliant, a building must not exceed these budgets when in design, construction, or operation.
The standard sets limits for:
- Upfront carbon
- Operational energy
- On-site fossil fuel use
- District heating and cooling networks
- Refrigerants
- Heating delivered to the building
The standard sets targets for:
- On-site renewable electricity generation
The standard sets reporting requirements for:
- Life cycle embodied carbon
- Operational water use
- Electricity demand
- Heating and cooling delivered to the building
- Offsetting (optional)
You will also need third-party verification that you’ve adhered to these limits and targets.
Track your sustainability responsibilities
Does the UK Net Zero Carbon Buildings Standard apply to your developments? Which other policies and standards should you consider? Track your compliance responsibilities with our free Carbon Policy Tracker.
Meet the NZCBS with Planet Mark
We can help you make measurable, science-aligned carbon reductions with full net zero consultancy and certification.
Here are three key steps to meeting the UK Net Zero Carbon Buildings Standard, and how we can help.
1. Evaluate your existing building projects and operations against the standards to identify any gaps –> We can recommend suppliers to take you through a whole-life carbon assessment (WLCA), aligned with RICS standards and third-party verified. Once you’ve identified the carbon hotspots within your developments, we’ll work with you to set ambitious targets to reduce them.
2. Implement energy-efficient designs, renewable energy systems and sustainable materials in new or existing projects –> We can help to engage and align your entire supply chain, with webinars, workshops, round tables, and on-demand educational resources. By bringing your suppliers on your net zero journey, you can make sure you’re all accountable to the same decarbonisation goals.
3. Establish processes to measure, track and disclose carbon emissions to ensure compliance –> We can help you measure and report on your Scopes 1, 2, and 3 carbon emissions with an easy-to-use data submission platform and a team of reporting experts. With measurement methodologies aligned with the GHG Protocol, we can help you understand and communicate your progress towards your net zero goals credibly.
Decarbonisation solutions for the built environment
We’re empowering the built environment sector to leave a sustainable legacy through two products – the Planet Mark Development Certification and the Net Zero Certification Programme. These certification solutions are designed to help you set and meet science-aligned decarbonisation targets across your organisation and development projects.
Get in touch to learn more.
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