A major shift is underway in the way we design, deliver, and manage buildings in the UK. The UK Net Zero Carbon Buildings Standard is set to provide the clarity, consistency, and confidence, around net zero the industry has been calling for.
The UK Net Zero Carbon Buildings Standard (The Standard) has been shaped by an impressive cross-industry collaboration. Over 200 buildings took part in the trial, covering multiple sectors and stages of development, from early design through to operation and retrofit. Troup Bywaters + Anders LLP (TB+A) partnered with The Crown Estate to participate.
The Standard brings together a wide range of building systems, features, and management processes that influence carbon emissions. Following the success of the trial, version 1 of The Standard is expected to launch next spring.
The Standard is significant because it:
- Covers a wide range of building types, from homes to hospitals, and more
- Applies to the full building life cycle, from design to retrofit and operation
- Establishes simple, science-based performance metrics, with targets expected to tighten over time
- Sets metrics designed to advance the industry and accelerate progress to net zero across the built environment.
For the first time, the industry will have a single and common reference point that helps everyone move in the same direction.
Uniting the standards landscape
Our industry has long struggled with a patchwork of standards. Some are conflicting, some are outdated, and some leave significant gaps. The Standard begins to solve this by acting as a unifying umbrella that consolidates and aligns with several established frameworks. These include:
- NABERS UK – operational energy performance rating tool
- CIBSE TM54 – operational energy predictions
- RICS Whole Life Carbon Assessment –life-cycle carbon analysis
- Refrigerant Global Warming Potential limits aligned with EU taxonomy
- Links to the NHS Net Zero Carbon Building Standard
We also expect closer alignment with frameworks such as BREEAM, Passivhaus, and the planning process. The result is a more coherent landscape that will deliver wide-ranging benefits.
Who does The Standard benefit?
A unified and forward-looking standard will:
- Give design teams a common benchmark that levels the playing field and reduces risk
- Help developers understand net-zero performance at the design stage, minimising the risk of missing future organisational carbon targets
- Enable tenants to understand the carbon performance of the buildings they occupy, and how their operations affect net-zero outcomes
- Allow operators to compare buildings in their portfolio, identify underperformance, and plan net-zero transition strategies
- Support operators and tenants in actively managing carbon performance, correcting variances, and reducing emissions
- Provide transparent performance targets that strengthens ESG reporting and compliance
- Give investors clear and consistent expectations, strengthening the credibility of green investments
- Provide planning authorities with shared, industry-understood targets for new developments.
With The Standard in place, TB+A LLP can continue designing and managing buildings to the highest level of performance, while cutting carbon emissions and maximising energy efficiency throughout a building’s life.
From traditional building services engineering design to operational performance improvement, and low or zero-carbon strategies, our diverse team blend technical excellence with creativity to make even the most complex challenges, clear.
If you have any questions about what The Standard means for your portfolio, or you're seeking support with a net-zero project, the TB+A team are on hand to help.
Please get in touch and one of our accredited professionals will be happy to assist you.
