Planning matters

The Pilot UK Net Zero Carbon Building Standard (‘the Standard’), launched in September 2024, aims to provide clarity, and a unified methodology, for establishing what constitutes a net zero building in the UK. Having worked on schemes aspiring to be ‘net zero’ at Lichfields, it is clear that the Standard has the potential to be revolutionary for the industry. This blog provides an overview of the Standard and explores the key actions required to ensure it is successfully implemented.

The Standard is free to access and provides a set of consistent rules for defining what net zero carbon means for buildings in the UK. It applies to both existing and new buildings, covering 13 different sectors (including residential, offices and data centres), but does not apply to infrastructure. By providing clarity on when a building can claim to be net zero, it enables developers to demonstrate that their built assets align with the UK’s carbon and energy budgets without the need for negotiation. Consequently, it has the potential to reduce the time spent deliberating the topic during planning discussions, aligning with the government’s aspirations to streamline the planning system.

The Standard was established through a collaborative effort from the industry with the key organisations involved comprising BBP, BRE, the Carbon Trust, CIBSE, IStructE, LETI, RIBA, RICS and UKGBC. Additionally, over 1,000 organisations were consulted and 4,000 buildings provided data to inform the Standard[i].

While the Standard is ready for use, it has been issued in ‘pilot’ to provide the industry with time to understand what it means and evaluate it on existing buildings and new projects. A period of testing will commence in 2025 to inform its final version, which includes verification and communication of analysis[ii].

The Standard is clearly a positive move to support decarbonisation of the industry. However, several actions are required to ensure it is successfully implemented. In the remainder of this blog, I share some thoughts on three key actions to focus on.

   

Firstly, upskilling of the industry’s workforce is required. Upskilling is necessary in all disciplines and at all stages in a building’s development, from the engineers and architects designing buildings, to supply chain contractors sourcing the building materials. Training will be necessary to understand the components of the Standard and the overall process. Additionally, a robust understanding of the difference between upfront and operational carbon is crucial for everyone involved. This is already important for planners working in London, where the London Plan requires major developments to be net zero or pay a carbon offset contribution. While the initial upfront investment in training could prove challenging, the Standard has the potential to simplify net zero discussions, particularly during the planning process, which will provide time and cost savings. A holistic understanding of the Standard, beyond an individual’s discipline, will be beneficial.

Secondly, success is reliant on collaboration from project inception. This will ensure that all necessary matters are being discussed, and that there is a true understanding of what will be required to achieve net zero from the outset of a project. Simultaneously, the collecting and sharing of data is key. While it may be difficult to directly compare projects, providing data at the earliest opportunity will help to inform later versions of the Standard. In particular, the collecting of data during occupation to understand how a building is performing is crucial. Sharing data will also allow the industry to learn and develop from others’ experiences. However, this does mean reporting project failures as well as successes. This may be difficult at first but is something that the industry will need to get comfortable with if true progress is to be made.

In terms of the planning process, the Standard may mean that different information supports planning applications, and so both the project team and determining LPAs will need to become familiar with this. However, a robust standard will give certainty on exactly what needs be provided, particularly if this is endorsed through policy later down the line. It could, therefore, simplify sustainability information provided at the planning stage of a project. 

Finally, there needs to be an overall shift in how the industry perceives net zero. Given that the Standard emerged from a collaborative effort within the industry, it is clear this shift has already begun. Interestingly, RICS Sustainability Report (November 2024)[iii] highlighted an increasing demand for green buildings by tenants. Evidently, there are commercial benefits to prioritising sustainability, and it is important to end users. We must ensure that sustainability is a key focus early on in the design process, and that outdated conceptions of it being costly and incongruous with high quality design are changed.

It is clear that the Standard will be significant in supporting the UK’s net zero transition. To realise its full potential, the industry must upskill. Collaboration, including the sharing of data, is also essential, and there needs to be an overall shift in how environmental and sustainability matters are perceived. Other sustainability standards, such as BREAAM and Passivhaus, have become a requirement in local planning policy; and in London, all major developments must provide Whole Life Carbon and Circular Economy Statements. Endorsement through policy would clearly be beneficial. For now, the Standard is a positive and exciting development within the industry which has the potential to be revolutionary by providing consistency and streamlining sustainability standards for buildings.

Lichfields will be keeping a close eye on how the Standard progresses over the coming months. If you have any queries, please do get in touch.