WorldGBC’s Net Zero Carbon Buildings Commitment calls on businesses, organisations, cities, states and regions to reach net zero carbon operating emissions within their portfolios by 2030, and to advocate for all buildings to be net zero carbon in operation by 2050. 

The Commitment seeks to recognise and promote advanced climate leadership in decarbonising the built environment, to inspire others to take similar action, and to remove barriers to implementation. 

It aims to maximise the chances of limiting global warming to below 2oC and reduce operating emissions from buildings (currently 39% of energy-related CO2 emissions) through the five components of the Commitment framework: COMMIT, DISCLOSE, ACT, VERIFY, ADVOCATE. 

1. Commit: Assets under direct control to be net zero operational carbon by 2030
2. Disclose: Measure, disclose and assess annual asset and portfolio energy demand and carbon emissions
3. Action: Develop and implement a decarbonisation roadmap outlining key actions and milestones
4. Verification: Demonstrate enhanced energy performance, reduced carbon emissions and progress towards net zero carbon assets and portfolio
5. Advocate: Demonstrate leadership to support the wider transition towards net zero carbon buildings

Through this framework, the Commitment ensures that all signatories can deliver against their targets, while driving real and tangible reductions.

Who can join?

To become a signatory, entities must demonstrate an equivalent level of ambition and impact as the leadership required by the Commitment. This can be through:

• International presence to stimulate global markets
• Significant presence in their country
• Significant capacity to influence the built environment
• High level of carbon emissions within their sector relative to an average entity; and/or
• High potential for advocacy to increase uptake within industry

Detailed guidance can be found in the main technical document ‘WorldGBC Net Zero Carbon Buildings Commitment Detailed Guidance v1 January 2019’

 

UKGBC Net Zero Carbon Framework

UKGBC’s Net Zero Carbon Buildings: A Framework Definition builds upon the principles set out in the WorldGBC Net Zero Carbon Buildings Commitment and provides additional guidance relevant to the UK market. Whilst the Commitment sets out base requirements, the Framework is being developed to set more challenging requirements for net zero buildings in the UK.

The key points of difference are outlined in the table below:

	WorldGBC Net Zero Carbon Buildings Commitment	UKGBC Framework Definition for Net Zero Carbon Buildings
Scope of buildings	All building areas under direct control to be net zero by 2030	Any selected building (individual or portfolio) can demonstrate net zero from today onwards
Scope of carbon	Operational energy	Operational energy and/or construction (upfront carbon)
Energy efficiency	Energy action plan required	Annual disclosure of energy performance required; minimum energy performance targets (for offices only)
Renewable energy	Aligned – UKGBC provided supplementary guidance in 2021
Offsets	Aligned – UKGBC provided supplementary guidance in 2021
Disclosure and verification	Annual reporting; verification process to be determined	Annual reporting; third-party verification set out in framework