Focus

Why the industry needs another net zero carbon buildings standard

By 2024-04-19T06:00:00

Eden facade closeup

Source: Paul Karalius

David Partridge has been tasked with bringing together construction’s many and varied definitions of net zero. He tells Thomas Lane why setting a recognised and easily understood benchmark for whole-life carbon emissions is so important

David Partridge shows me a slide to demonstrate why the industry needs another net zero carbon building standard. The slide has 15 different industry definitions of net zero. 

There is LETI’s climate emergency design guide, the RICS whole life carbon assessment for the built environment, guidance for a net zero National Health Service, the RIBA 2030 climate challenge, NABERS and the UKGBC’s NZC building verification to name a few. 

“I was speaking to an architect at one of our engagement sessions who said he spent the first six months of any discussion with clients understanding what their definition of net zero was before he could even begin designing the building,” Partridge, the chair of developer Related Argent, says.

Already registered? Login here

To continue enjoying Building.co.uk, sign up for free guest access

Existing subscriber? LOGIN

 

Stay at the forefront of thought leadership with news and analysis from award-winning journalists. Enjoy company features, CEO interviews, architectural reviews, technical project know-how and the latest innovations.

  • Limited access to building.co.uk
  • Breaking industry news as it happens
  • Breaking, daily and weekly e-newsletters

Get your free guest access  SIGN UP TODAY

Gated access promo

Subscribe now for unlimited access

 

Subscribe to Building today and you will benefit from:

  • Unlimited access to all stories including expert analysis and comment from industry leaders
  • Our league tables, cost models and economics data
  • Our online archive of over 10,000 articles
  • Building magazine digital editions
  • Building magazine print editions
  • Printed/digital supplements

Subscribe now for unlimited access.

View our subscription options and join our community