The long-awaited UK Net Zero Carbon Buildings Standard has officially been launched. After four years of industry consultation and a national pilot programme, Version 1 of the standard marks an important step forward for the built environment.
The standard provides the UK’s first science-based, industry-backed definition of what it means for a building to be net zero carbon aligned. It also sets out criteria for assessing both operational and embodied carbon, giving developers, designers, investors and occupiers a clear and credible benchmark to work towards.
Cundall played an active role throughout the development of the standard, with team members contributing their expertise across multiple working groups. Robin Pritchett supported the operational energy task group, while Gilles Alvarenga and Sarah Linnell helped shape guidance for the commercial residential sector. Oleksandr Poborskyy contributed to the hotels sector group, Simon Wyatt and Andrew Somerville to science and technology, Anthony O’Connor to sport and leisure, and Theodor Bratosin to the storage and distribution sector group. Their collective input helped set out the standard technical needs for a wide range of building types.
The Cundall team also played a key role in piloting the standard on live projects, helping to test and refine its practical application. Paul Chatwin, Cyril Knabe-Nicol and David Everington, were among those who piloted the framework on real-world schemes, including the full refurbishment of Finsbury Dials in London, and Three Chamberlain Square, Paradise Birmingham, the first 5* NABERS UK Design Reviewed Target Rating in the West Midlands.
Commenting on the Cundall team’s involvement, Paul Chatwin, Associate, Sustainability, said:
“This standard is a powerful example of what the industry can achieve when we come together and share expertise for the greater good. Over the past few years, we have tested, refined and tested it again, ensuring it is best in class and will provide the UK building industry with a clear pathway toward a net zero future. It’s an industry-changing initiative, one that will have measurable impact for decades to come, and I am incredibly proud to have been a part of it.”
The launch of Version 1 is the culmination of years of work from people across the industry. It is expected to accelerate the transition to low carbon buildings nationwide, supporting the UK’s plans to reach net zero by 2050 and bring much needed clarity to a sector responsible for a significant share of the country’s emissions.
