In the new year, the UK will take an important step towards its climate goals with the official launch of the UK Net Zero Carbon Buildings Standard (UKNZCBS). This is a unified framework that defines what it means for a building to be net zero carbon aligned and marks the culmination of years of collaborative effort across the built environment sector.
Although various organisations have introduced targets and frameworks, the UK has never had a single national approach, despite industry calls to embed whole life carbon assessments into Building Regulations, – such as the proposed Part Z, which would mandate the assessment and limitation of carbon emissions in new buildings.
The Standard aims to change that. It provides a verified status for buildings that meet rigorous carbon performance criteria, covering embodied and operational carbon. This Standard is not yet mandatory, but it is already being embraced by developers, investors and clients who are serious about meeting environmental, social and governance (ESG) requirements, and contributing to the UK’s 2030 and 2050 net zero goals.
Developing the Standard
My own journey with the Standard began two years ago, when I was seconded to one of its task groups. Sponsored by my team at AtkinsRéalis, I dedicated half a day each week to this initiative, gradually getting more deeply involved. Initially, I served as technical secretariat for the embodied carbon task group, attending every meeting, taking notes and coordinating actions, but as my expertise in whole life carbon grew, so did my contributions.
One of the most critical aspects of the Standard is the establishment of embodied carbon limits, the numerical thresholds that projects must meet to qualify as net zero carbon aligned. To support this, we collected and analysed more than 800 datasets from across the industry. I was directly involved in this data collection and analysis, helping to shape the benchmarks that will guide future construction.
Today, I continue to serve on two working groups, helping to fine-tune the Standard ahead of its official release. I work closely with clients, advising them on how to prepare for the Standard and testing its pilot version on live projects.
One of the most anticipated elements of the Standard is its verification process, which is being developed and will be released with version 1 in early 2026. Much like Breeam, this process will allow consultancies such as AtkinsRéalis to become verifiers, assessing projects and awarding the net zero aligned badge. Beyond verification, we’ll also support clients in designing and delivering buildings to meet the Standard.
Over the past year, we have worked with a range of clients to test and apply the pilot standard, collaborating with major UK organisations to integrate the Standard into their sustainability guidance and apply elements of the pilot version to ongoing projects.
These engagements demonstrate the growing demand for net zero buildings and the value of having a clear, credible standard. For landlords, the badge can boost rental income and attract tenants with strong ESG commitments. For tenants, it simplifies compliance with frameworks such as GRESB and other global reporting standards.
Challenges ahead
While the Standard is a major step forward, challenges remain, including the complexity of building typologies. The Standard currently defines more than two dozen types, but some, such as transport hubs, don’t fit neatly into existing categories. AtkinsRéalis is working with public sector clients to develop tailored approaches for these unique assets.
Another challenge is data quality and consistency. The initial dataset we analysed was messy, reflecting the absence of a unified methodology. As the House of Commons Environmental Audit Committee states, ‘the first step must be a requirement to undertake whole life carbon assessments for buildings so the industry can start measuring, and then controlling, for this carbon’. Only then can we drive meaningful reductions.
Finally, there’s the question of adoption, because without regulatory backing, uptake depends on market incentives. Fortunately, the momentum is strong, and developers, investors and tenants are increasingly demanding net zero buildings.
The Standard provides the clarity and credibility they need, and it’s more than a technical framework; it’s a catalyst for change. By providing a clear definition of net zero, it empowers the industry to build better, smarter and greener – and that’s a future worth building.
About the author
Tom Tang, sustainability and asset management consultant at AtkinsRéalis