UKNZCBS Pathfinder Roundtable

From the outset we have been supporters of the UK Net Zero Carbon Buildings Standard (UKNZCBS) and at our recent Pathfinder roundtable on tall residential buildings, we brought together people from across the industry to explore a shared question: how can the Standard support the design, construction and operation of lower-carbon homes—and what will it take for the wider market to adopt it?

The Standard has been developed by industry, for industry, with input from organisations including RIBA, RICS, UKGBC alongside hundreds of other contributors. Now moving through its pathfinder phase, its aim is to provide a consistent, credible way to assess whether buildings are aligned with net zero carbon outcomes. Third-party verification is central to this, helping to build confidence and trust across the market.

The group welcomed the principle of a shared framework, particularly one that allows buildings to be compared on a like-for-like basis using consistent metrics. A report card tool was seen as a useful way to help project teams, asset owners and occupiers understand performance, identify gaps and learn from live building data.

Operational performance was a strong theme throughout the session. Better data has a critical role to play—not only in improving how buildings are managed day to day, but also in shaping future investment, design and development decisions. UKNZCBS is keen to receive more data to help continue validate the Standard, especially on existing buildings.

Viability was another central issue. Additional requirements are often hard to justify unless they are clearly linked to value, cost savings or access to finance. The group explored how green loans, preferential mortgage rates, operational savings and green credits could make adoption more attractive. There was broad agreement that financial incentives will be important if the UKNZCBS is to move beyond early adopters.

The relationship between the Standard and existing environmental, social and governance (ESG), planning, certification and investor frameworks was also discussed. The message was clear: the UKNZCBS must not be seen as “another thing”, but as part of a more coherent sustainability landscape. Alignment with planning policy, building regulations and investor reporting will be critical to its long-term success.

There was strong interest, too, in how the UKNZCBS applies to existing buildings. Recent developments mean that, as well as the Standard’s pass/fail “cliff edge” definition, UKNZCBS Performance Evaluations can help owners understand current performance and identify realistic pathways to improvement for buildings that do not yet meet the requirements to become Net Zero Carbon Aligned.

For tall residential buildings, the conversation also brought sector-specific challenges into focus. These included the impact of the Building Safety Act, landlord and tenant responsibilities, operational management, data sharing and resident engagement. Different audiences—from investors and lenders to residents, clients and policymakers—will need different messages about why the Standard matters and what benefits it can bring.

One clear conclusion emerged: successful adoption will depend on more than technical robustness. It will need clear communication, collaboration and policy alignment, as well as continued work with government, clients, lenders and the wider industry.

The pathfinder process gives the industry an important opportunity to share practical experience, identify barriers and help shape how the UKNZCBS develops. For tall residential buildings, it is a chance to connect ambition with evidence—and to make lower-carbon living easier to understand, deliver and sustain.

Attendees
James Blakey, Moda Living
Tim Hoyland, Related Argent
Katerina Papavasileiou, Federated Hermes
Lizzie O’Reilly, KLH Sustainability
Nick Woodmore, CWG
Orlando Gibbons, UKGBC / Arup / UKNZCBS
Tom Tang, AtkinsRéalis
Will Bury, Envision
David Partridge, UK NZCBS
Katie Clemence-Jackson, UK NZCBS
William Poole, Howells
Shauna Bradley, Howells
Sophia Ceneda, Howells