​​Richard Dudzicki, Director at RDA Architecture & Interiors, highlights the Net Zero Carbon Buildings Standard's potential through collaboration and sustainability.

The launch of the Net Zero Carbon Buildings Standard (NZCBS) in September 2024 marks a groundbreaking moment for the UK’s built environment, particularly for myself - having worked in sustainable architecture for almost thirty years. The first of its kind at this scale, this industry-led initiative provides a unified framework to address operational energy and embodied carbon to ensure responsible building practices are actively fighting against climate change. But as discussed in the forum, for the Standard to drive meaningful change, it’s clear that the industry must overcome some significant challenges, and most importantly embrace collaboration.

The NZCBS aims to limit global warming to 1.5°C by introducing practical systems for managing carbon emissions in buildings. What’s exciting is that this isn’t just about energy performance—it’s about thinking holistically, from how we design and build to how we recycle and reuse materials. For those of us working in residential projects and retrofits, like myself, this feels familiar. I’ve been recycling and reusing materials—roof lights, stone, kitchens—you name it—for years. But scaling that approach to larger projects is going to prove to be a real challenge.

What is most apparent, aside from the vital step of establishing the carbon strategy at RIBA stage 0-1, is that achieving this standard on a large scale will require unprecedented collaboration across developers, local authorities, and policymakers. We need frameworks that support circular economies, incentivising reuse over demolition. Tax breaks for low-carbon materials and penalties for wasteful practices would be useful to catalyse this shift, not to mention establishing large-scale material reuse and recycling systems.

Even on a smaller scale, measuring and achieving net zero carbon involves intricate calculations and extensive teamwork - but we can’t allow this complexity to hinder the standard. Simplification is key. Straightforward solutions encourage industry-wide adoption and reduce our reliance on costly consultations, while implementing universal metrics like kilograms of CO₂ per square meter offers clarity, and enables stakeholders to assess embodied and operational carbon efficiently.

To enable robust collaboration, we must demystify these intensive processes and make them more accessible on a larger scale. Establishing an open conversation with transparent metrics will help all parties, from consultants to policymakers, to align on sustainable practices.

It’s abundantly clear that policy reform is critical to realising the Standard’s potential. Building regulations need to mandate embodied carbon calculations, something that remains surprisingly absent in the current policy landscape. It’s also important to remember that the gains here extend beyond sustainability. Faster project delivery, lower operational costs, and enhanced material efficiency are all potential benefits of the Standard. However, the vital impact remains fostering a knowledge base where “good” and “bad” carbon practices are universally understood.

Finally, for the NZCBS to really succeed it must avoid the fate of the UK Code for Sustainable Homes, which, unfortunately, struggled due to its limited industry buy-in. By learning from our past mistakes, we stand to reap the benefits of the Standard’s promise, and its potential to unify the sector under clear, actionable guidelines. However, its success depends on collective effort—developers, policymakers, and the supply chain must all play their part willingly and share data proactively.

To me, this is a huge moment of opportunity. By embracing the NZCBS and integrating its principles into our building practices, the UK’s built environment can be the ones to lead the charge toward a sustainable future, rather than hinder it. Let’s not just set the standard—let’s build by it.