BNP Paribas Real Estate, part of BNP Paribas Group, today announced it is a project partner for the 2024 UK Green Buildings Council (UKGBC) Net Zero Carbon Buildings: A Framework Definition update.
At the end of September, the industry saw the first release of the UK Net Zero Carbon Buildings Standard (UKNZCBS), which will provide a set of criteria and performance requirements for a net zero building, along with a robust approach to verifying that those requirements are met. The Standard is a collaborative initiative between UKGBC and 11 other organisations active in the UK built environment, supported by over 300 sector experts.
BNP Paribas Real Estate's Richard Kaye, a member of the UKGBC Task Group, led the initiative on behalf of the firm.
Richard Kaye, Director, Building Consultancy at BNP Paribas Real Estate and UKGBC Task Group member commented: "In the ever growing and changing world of ESG, net zero carbon and decarbonising buildings, the importance of clear guidance and definitions could not be more important. We are delighted to partner with the UKGBC to work with them updating their framework definition for net zero carbon buildings. This updated guidance will assist in providing clients the clarity they need to prepare for the future."
In light of the Standard, UKGBC intends to evolve the Framework Definition to ensure it continues to provide valuable guidance to those in industry seeking to design, deliver, or operate a net zero carbon building in the UK.
Whilst some elements of the existing Framework Definition (such as those relating to defining the scope, boundary, and verification of net zero building claims) will be superseded by the UK Net Zero Carbon Buildings Standard (UK NZCBS) once fully operational, UKGBC believes the Framework Definition can continue to provide important supporting guidance to industry.
Where the UK NZCBS will be a technical voluntary standard, verifying that an outcome is achieved, the Framework Definition is a high level, stepwise process for embedding low carbon, energy efficient principles into a project’s lifecycle, from design, through construction, into operation. This process is as relevant and valuable now as it was when launched, as the market seeks to respond to the increased ambition of the UK NZCBS.
