From policy contexts to compliance pathways: a review of practical definitions of net-zero carbon buildings

Highlights

• Compares NZCB definitions across national standards and jurisdictional regulations.
• Delineates key NZCB features: electrification, efficiency, and capped credits.
• Identifies embodied carbon & refrigerant controls as discrete compliance thresholds.
• Reveals NZCB shift from balance-based guidance to performance-based regulation.
• Proposes a dynamic NZCB framework linking buildings with decarbonization pathways.

Abstract

The Paris Agreement has accelerated global climate action, prompting countries to formulate policies that steer buildings toward net-zero carbon emissions. This review critically examines the practical definitions of “net zero” in the building sector by comparing core NZCB standards with selected jurisdictional implementation instruments. Three key features of current Net Zero Carbon Buildings (NZCBs) are identified: the elimination of direct fossil fuel use, alignment of building operational performance with explicit efficiency targets, and adoption of carbon reduction credits with defined constraints. A dynamic NZCB framework is proposed, incorporating these features and embedding large-scale building decarbonization into a pathway for regulatory compliance. The study emphasizes the importance of NZCB frameworks that link national and local conditions to clearly articulated decarbonization responsibilities. The findings not only provide actionable guidance for policymakers but also offer researchers an in-depth perspective on current industry transformation trends and the evolving landscape of net-zero carbon building strategies.