The UK Net Zero Carbon Buildings Standard

The Pilot Version of the UK Net Zero Carbon Buildings Standard (UKNZCBS) has been officially published, outlining the criteria a building must meet to be classified as “Net Zero Carbon” in both operational energy use and embodied carbon emissions.

The UKNZCBS aligns closely with other existing Net Zero frameworks and standards. It provides the real estate industry with a clear and credible method to verify that their assets are net zero carbon and aligned with the UK’s climate goals. It was put together by a range of experts including Carbon Trust, IStructE, RIBA, CIBSE, RICS, UK Green Building Council (UKGBC), LETI, the Better Buildings Partnership, BRE, and more.

What does it mean for TRA members?

This standard is especially relevant to members of the Trussed Rafter Association (TRA), as the trussed rafter industry plays a pivotal role in reducing the embodied carbon of buildings. Timber is recognized as a low-carbon material, and the use of timber components, like trussed rafters, is instrumental in achieving the UK’s net zero targets.

By embracing the principles laid out in the UKNZCBS, TRA members can demonstrate how timber construction solutions contribute to a building’s overall carbon reduction and help meet the ambitious goals set by the Standard.

How does a building meet the Standard?

The UKNZCBS sets out a detailed roadmap, providing guidance on:

• Carbon limits and targets buildings must adhere to
• The type of technical evidence required for compliance
• How this information should be reported and verified

Crucially, the Standard establishes science-based targets that align with the global effort to limit temperature rises to 1.5°C.

For trussed rafter manufacturers, this means contributing to the overall reduction of embodied carbon. Timber’s natural carbon-sequestration properties make it a key material in lowering upfront carbon emissions for new builds and renovations.

Buildings that are covered by the UKNZCBS

The Standard applies to a wide variety of building types, including:

• Homes (a key market for trussed rafters)
• Offices, retail spaces, and hotels
• Schools, healthcare facilities, and higher education institutions
• Science and technology buildings
• Storage, distribution, and data centres
• Cultural and entertainment venues

The UKNZCBS applies to both new and existing buildings, making it a critical framework for TRA members who contribute to the refurbishment and renovation sectors as well.

Importantly, buildings can only be recognised as Net Zero Carbon Aligned once they’ve been in use for at least a year, and performance data has been collected to confirm actual energy usage and carbon emissions.

Looking ahead for TRA members

For members of the TRA, aligning with the UKNZCBS not only reinforces the environmental benefits of timber but positions timber-trussed rafters as a central solution for developers, architects, and contractors aiming to meet the Net Zero Carbon goals. Provided our sector can design and deliver standard and attic trussed rafters which can incorporate the levels of insulation necessary to meet current and future targets.

In the coming years, as targets become more ambitious, TRA members will play an essential role in helping the construction industry transition toward low-carbon, sustainable buildings. The Standard’s pilot version is only the beginning—continuous updates will follow, providing opportunities for TRA members to showcase leadership in sustainable building practices.

Find out more about the Standard by downloading the associated documents here.