Net Zero Carbon
Together, operational and embodied emissions over a building’s entire lifecycle are known as whole life carbon emissions, and any definition of net zero should reflect the complete picture.
Key principles
Measure carbon
Reduce energy demand
Generate through renewables
Traditionally, net zero carbon has been largely understood to apply only to a building’s operational energy use and MEES Solutions can assist with measuring and reporting on this.
Yet for a new commercial building, completed to current standards, emissions from operational energy account for typically just 40%-50% of total lifetime emissions (allowing for grid decarbonisation). A fuller definition of net zero must include embodied emissions from materials sourcing and construction, as well as maintenance, repair, replacement, and eventual demolition. Through life cycle costing we can also assist with quantifying and reporting.
