Net zero performance benchmarks

We are working towards the London Energy Transformation Initiative (LETI) design targets which define how a 2030 net zero building should perform, these include:

Operational Energy (kWh/m²)
- Energy Use Intensity Benchmark

Embodied Carbon (kgCO₂e/m²)
- Whole Life Embodied Carbon Target

More information can be found on the LETI Climate Emergency Design Guide.

Net zero research

Sharing knowledge and research is the only way we can learn and adapt our designs to go net zero. By analysing our designs, projects and collaborating with clients we are developing the net zero carbon design guidance, so we can make the necessary change to our designs effectively across all market sectors.

Measuring your building’s carbon footprint

To give you complete transparency of your building’s carbon footprint at every design stage, we are developing a tool to calculate whole life carbon emissions of a project. This tool will enable quick assessment of your building’s carbon footprint and provide an understanding of how much carbon will be produced over a building’s lifetime, based on the average 60 years.

Our approach to net zero

1. A shift towards the use of sustainable timber and less use of structural steel and concrete
   
   
2. A shift in the regulatory and planning requirements away from only considering buildings regulated energy and towards total building or EIU limits
   
   
3. The introduction of regulatory and planning embodied carbon building construction and material limits
   
   
4. A revised paradigm in “carbon thinking” as embodied carbon is anywhere between 30% to 70% of a buildings’ total carbon emissions
   
   
5. An increase in re-purposing of existing buildings rather than demolition
   
   
6. Less excavation and basement construction
   
   
7. Reduced window/façade ratios while more of the window area will open
   
   
8. Electricity as the primary fuel of choice
   
   
9. Heat pumps as the technology of choice for building heating, hot water generation and cooling
   
   
10. A significant increase in Power Purchase Agreements (PPA’s) for sourcing and ensuring the supply of 100% renewable energy for buildings

Developing efficient net zero carbon buildings will have a range of implications for the construction industry, including:

What are the implications?

Net zero in whole life carbon

A truly net zero building must achieve net zero in whole life carbon, this means that the building operation and embodied carbon over its lifetime, including its disposal, are zero or negative.

Net zero in construction

For a building to be net zero in construction, the carbon emissions associated with the building’s product and construction stages up to practical completion, needs to be offset through the net export of onsite renewable energy or by offsetting the emissions.

Net zero in operation

For the operational carbon emissions of a building to be zero, it must be highly energy efficient and powered by renewable energy either on or off-site, with any remaining annual carbon emissions offset.

A net zero building is simply a building that has no net carbon emissions during its construction and operation. Emissions are reduced and what's leftover is balanced by renewable energy or carbon offsets.

Here are the three main categories that will be assessed to evaluate the operational and embodied carbon emissions of a building.

Renewable energy and carbon offset

Reduced carbon
emissions

What is a net zero building?

Let’s think net zero, challenge the status quo and collaborate on this journey to create net zero buildings that stand the test of time and protect our people and planet.

To help you on your journey, we have committed to delivering net zero emissions in our own operations by 2025.

The net zero mindset

It's time to prepare for change. People are demanding healthy places to live, work and play, legislation will become stricter and property investors will see the returns on green investments. Choosing net zero will future proof projects so that your designs, construction and building performance will lead to a prosperous and sustainable future for you and the communities you serve.

Why invest in net zero designs?

of the buildings we need in 2050 already exist or are in planning

80%

of carbon emissions come from buildings

40%

is the UK’s deadline for delivering net zero

2050

Net zero buildings: the challenge in numbers