TOOLKIT

Achieving Net Zero Carbon Buildings

The Low Carbon Alliance framework set out below is intended as a first step towards delivering sustainable objectives that are in line with the aims of the Paris Agreement:  net zero carbon across buildings. This framework should be adopted by any organisation that is serious about reducing its impact on climate change.

Understand where and when energy is being used in real-time. Our energy management platform will collect and analyse your data and deliver this in a clear and simple format allowing you to:

  • View your energy intensity (kWh/m2) for each asset
  • Benchmark your buildings against others
  • Create energy and carbon reports for legislation compliance
  • Create an ‘Energy Policy’ based on your target energy intensity
  • Engage with tenants to get buy-in, and build targets

Building a dynamic model of key assets to measure the impact and cost of mitigation measures to identify a pathway to meet increasing legislative performance targets. This can be done through:

  • Creating a structure to ensure Planned Preventive Maintenance (PPM) is integral to the evolution of the estate’s efficiency rating
  • Identify areas of waste such as poor energy management or poor control settings
  • Deploy energy efficiency measures, track the impact, and verify returns in line with IPMVP.
  • Use the dynamic model to evaluate the energy/environmental impact of tenant fit-out works to overall building ratings, and ensure compliance with the property’s energy policy targets
  • Create a green fit-out standard with tighter control measures to protect/enhance the buildings efficiency rating and ensure continued performance
  • When buildings are bought or sold due diligence should include identifying a property’s net zero pathway and the cost of compliance, to avoid acquiring properties with costly energy up-grades.
  • Model the impact of future light and deep refurbishments
  • Support tenants reduce emissions by installing Electric Vehicle charging points reducing Scope 3 emissions

On-site Renewable Energy generation of electricity and heat should be optimised as far as practically possible through the application of Solar PV and Heat Pumps.

Additionally, procurement of renewable energy from off-site renewables either through private wire arrangements or Corporate Power Purchase Agreements with renewable energy generators can help to meet #03

Any remaining carbon should be offset using a recognised offsetting framework.

Investment in carbon offsetting projects should be in the relevant jurisdiction and the amount of offsets used should be publicly disclosed

Net Zero Building

We have a series of tools and services to help our clients develop a strategy and delivery programme that sets and follows a pathway to Net Zero.   Implementing a Net Zero strategy will mitigate the risk of assets falling foul of compliance as regulations on emissions increase in scope and targets.

The ambitions of becoming ‘Net Zero’ have evolved from the concept of businesses and institutions worldwide now declaring their commitments to achieving net-zero emissions. Low Carbon Alliance has aligned its own Net Zero Philosophy with that of the UK Green Building Council who provide the following framework definitions for buildings:

Net Zero Carbon – Construction:

‘When the amount of carbon emissions associated with a building’s product and construction stages up to practical completion is zero or negative, through the use of offsets or the net export of on-site renewable energy’.

Net Zero Carbon – Operational Energy:

“When the amount of carbon emissions associated with the building’s operational energy on an annual basis is zero or negative. A net zero carbon building is highly energy efficient and powered from on-site and/or off-site renewable energy sources, with any remaining carbon balance offset.”