Buildings standard provides clarity

Key points for commercial buildings are: an 80% cut in carbon emissions against current levels, achieved via low-carbon heating, plus highly efficient fabric and systems; a 31% improvement in primary energy use; mandatory mechanical ventilation with heat recovery or low-carbon alternatives; and safety upgrades including fire safety measures.

The publication of the Future Buildings Standard is a major step forward towards achieving the UK’s legally binding commitment to net zero by 2050. Alongside updates to Building Regulations Part L, this will raise performance expectations for new and refurbished commercial properties.

At the same time, corporate sustainability commitments and operational realities are accelerating demand for low-carbon, energy-efficient solutions across offices, healthcare, education and industrial assets. This provides some policy clarity needed to unlock investment.

However, as numerous industry surveys have found, there is a broad belief that building owners and developers are not fully ready for compliance with the new standard because of concerns about preparation gaps, costs and complexity.

By mandating net zero carbon standards for non-domestic buildings, covering embodied and operational emissions, it would not be surprising if there is lobbying for flexibility over compliance deadlines, particularly as obtaining accurate carbon modelling continues to be challenging.

The biggest omission is anything regarding our existing non-domestic buildings and the proposed Minimum Energy Efficiency Standards (MEES).

The industry has been waiting for five years for commercial MEES rules to be clarified. While the government confirmed more stringent rules for the domestic private rented sector earlier this year, the non-domestic sector remains in limbo.

Flora Harley, head of energy and sustainability research, Knight Frank