Head of Perform+, Associate and architect Seb Laan Lomas shares his view of the new UK Net Zero Carbon Building Standard.

“The new standard is a vital re-focusing and puts an emphasis on proof -  does your building ‘do what it says on the tin’?

It’s great to see Building Performance Evaluation in the spotlight. This often over-looked and under-embraced workstream is a vital feedback loop for building users and operators, those who commission new buildings, and those designing and delivering them.

It makes sure a building sits below the energy limits and provides a path to optimisation if it isn’t, saving money, energy, carbon, and often improving comfort too.

However, whilst the standard brings timely new limits and targets for energy and upfront carbon, it doesn’t directly drive improved health and wellbeing outcomes for occupants.

In contrast, north of the border the ambitious Scottish Net Zero Public Sector Building Standard also incorporates limits for CO2, TVOCs, PMs and other pollutants for both new and existing buildings to help avoid ‘carbon blindness’ and unintended consequences.

In this way, the UK NZCBS is focused on select key outcomes, but is not all-encompassing and doesn’t dictate the path to success.

It still needs to be paired with a holistic approach to design, construction, and delivery. And whilst it positively sets limits for energy and carbon, it should not be seen as the limit for ambition as to what can already be delivered.”

To read more about the standard, visit https://www.nzcbuildings.co.uk/the-standard