Major updates from the UK Net Zero Carbon Buildings Standard

As preferred bidder in the second stage of the tender for the role, Bureau Veritas is working in partnership with the Standard to develop the verification framework and methodology, with the intent to formalise the arrangement and appoint BV into the role for a two-year exclusivity period upon launch of the Standard’s Version 1. 

Following the launch of Version 1, the verification administrator will run and maintain the Standard’s verification process, including  developing a verifier training and accreditation scheme that will open up verification services to the wider industry. The verification administrator will carry out the initial verifications “in-house”, up until the training scheme is available. A key part of the current development work is to define the competencies a verifier will need, including around whole life carbon assessment. 

Katie Clemence-Jackson, CEO, UK Net Zero Carbon Buildings Standard  “Bureau Veritas is  a great fit for the role of Verification Administrator due to their deep understanding of operational energy and embodied carbon, and world-leading experience as a verification body. Together, we are delivering a verification framework that will bring much-needed robustness and credibility to our industry's Net Zero Carbon claims, and act as a catalyst for the Net Zero transformation we need.”

Niki Hutson, Sustainability Solutions Market Leader, Bureau Veritas said:  “The UK Net Zero Carbon Buildings Standard will fundamentally shift how the industry approaches decarbonisation. Our verification process ensures that 'net zero' becomes more than a marketing term - it becomes a measurable, accountable commitment. This credibility will unlock green financing, prevent greenwashing, and create a competitive advantage for buildings that genuinely deliver on climate performance. We're essentially future-proofing the built environment.” 

Upon appointment, to coincide with the launch of Version 1, Bureau Veritas will be the sole Verification Administrator for a two-year exclusivity period. After this period the arrangement will be reviewed, with other organisations potentially also taking on the role. 

Verifying your buildings as Net Zero Carbon Aligned 

The UK Net Zero Carbon Buildings Standard sets out limits and targets that need to be met in order for a building to  be Net Zero Carbon Aligned, as well as the technical evidence needed to demonstrate this, and how it should be reported.

Verification will be launched alongside Version 1 of the Standard, due this winter. Ahead of its release, building owners can start measuring and reporting building performance against the Standard’s requirements, available in the Pilot Version, putting them in a good position to verify once the Standard has been launched. 

Buildings will be expected to measure and report data annually to keep their Net Zero Carbon Aligned status. 

Verification will start to transform the industry, with buildings being able to evidence that they are truly Net Zero Carbon Aligned in line with climate goals.

The Standard’s metrics are published in the Pilot version, with building owners already starting to measure and report against them in preparation to pursue verification when it becomes available.  

The robustness and credibility provided by third party verification will support the financing and development of Net Zero Carbon buildings. Conforming to the Standard will be a badge of honour for buildings to show they are playing their part in the path towards a Net Zero Carbon UK. The data we gather from this process will contribute to industry learning, and the future evolution of the Standard. 

Introduction of an “On Track” Check at Practical Completion

Feedback from the industry has highlighted a strong desire for a way to check that buildings are on track to meet the Standard at Practical Completion. We have consistently heard this feedback throughout engagement on the Standard, from early technical consultations that informed the Pilot Version, through ongoing Stakeholder engagement workshops, and again through the Pilot Feedback. We have heard that introducing some form of validation at this stage  would reduce barriers to uptake, particularly in certain sectors, providing confidence to a range of stakeholders and ultimately supporting the funding and specification of Net Zero Carbon buildings.

In response to this feedback we will be introducing an “on track” validity check at Practical Completion. Securing validation will provide evidence that a building could feasibly achieve the Standard in use. Given that the Standard has been developed with a focus on in-use measurement and rigour, the “on track” check comes with some stipulations to ensure it supports uptake, while aligning with the Standard's principles. 

The check will involve reporting progress against each of the Standard’s mandatory requirements. The evidence will be subject to third party verification, with known metrics being verified, and a plausibility check carried out for metrics based on in-use performance. There will be specific rules about how “on track” validation can be communicated. Notably, it does not indicate that a building has achieved the Standard, which is only possible for buildings with in use measured data. 

The methodology for “on track” validation at Practical Completion is being developed through a dedicated Working Group, with a new Annex to be launched alongside Version 1 this winter.