New guide sets the standard for net zero energy procurement and carbon offsetting
A new guide is set to give clarity on procurement of high-quality renewable energy and carbon offsets for net zero buildings in the UK.
Published by the UK Green Building Council (UKGBC), the guidance – Renewable Energy Procurement and Carbon Offsetting Guidance for Net Zero Carbon Buildings – is aimed at building developers, designers, owners, occupiers and policy makers. It includes a set of principles which should be used to evaluate the quality of renewable energy procurement routes, including how to create additionality – driving a material increase in the UK’s renewable energy capacity.
Julie Hirigoyen, Chief Executive at UKGBC said, “Designing for reductions in whole life carbon and greater energy efficiency are just two pieces of a complex puzzle when it comes to our transition to net zero carbon buildings. The importance of the principles put forward in this guidance to evaluate the quality of renewable energy procurement routes, to calculate the residual emissions, and to offset those residual emissions in a meaningful way, is paramount to ensure the credibility of any net zero carbon building claim. This guidance marks an important step forward in helping the industry to deliver on our net zero targets, and ultimately respond to the climate crisis with buildings that are fit for the future.”
The guidance has been developed in collaboration with a task group of 32 industry experts and informed by a consultation run by UKGBC last year, which received feedback from 61 stakeholders. The work forms part of UKGBC’s Advancing Net Zero Programme.