UK Green Building Council launches task group on net zero carbon buildings
The UK Green Building Council (UKGBC) has launched a new task group which will develop an industry-led definition for net zero carbon buildings.
The task group will bring together over 30 experts from across the building value chain and is being supported by 12 leading industry bodies. It will examine what net zero carbon will mean for new buildings, including how they operate in-use.
The aim is to build industry consensus on a definition for net zero carbon buildings, which can then be used to inform project designs, reporting initiatives, planning requirements and building regulations. An industry consultation on the task group proposals will be opened in February, with the final output published in spring 2019.
The task group forms part of the UKGBC’s Advancing Net Zero programme, a global campaign which calls for all new buildings to be net zero carbon in operation by 2030, and all existing buildings to achieve this standard by 2050.
Richard Twinn, Senior Policy Advisor at UKGBC, said “The construction and property industry is ready to make its contribution to the Paris Climate Agreement and start delivering net zero carbon buildings. But there is still a lack of clarity about what a net zero carbon building means in practice.
“This initiative is aiming to move beyond discussions about specific tools and policies towards buildings that work as intended and achieve genuine net zero carbon. We are seeking to create an agreed industry-led definition for net zero carbon buildings in the UK, to ensure we are all working towards the same outcomes.”
