Net-zero buildings – Where do we stand?

This report presents and discusses the results of six case studies developed from Arup projects using whole life carbon assessment of buildings based on the WBCSD Framework. The work shows that it remains difficult to collect all the necessary data from across the full life cycle of building projects. Despite this, it is critical that we start using this information to inform the earliest phase of the decision-making process when the opportunity to reduce whole life carbon emissions is greatest. The case studies, all of which focus on some degree of low carbon design, indicate a potential for clear targets to emerge, and the halving of global buildings related emissions within the next decade to be a possibility.