For new construction and deep retrofits
The Zero Carbon Building – Design Standard™ guides the design of new buildings and major renovations of existing ones so they can achieve zero carbon operations.
The Standard is comprehensive and evaluates the anticipated carbon emissions from building operations like heating and cooling. Project teams must carefully consider the embodied carbon of construction materials, refrigerants used in HVAC equipment, and building airtightness. Project teams must also evaluate strategies to minimize electrical grid impacts.
ZCB-Design™ provides enough flexibility to be used for just about any kind of building, as well as for newly constructed additions and attached buildings. For projects that use combustion equipment for hot water or peak heating, a costed zero-carbon transition plan must be provided. The transition plan outlines how equipment will be adapted by leveraging regular equipment replacement life cycles to move toward decarbonization.
In lockstep with the market’s expectations and anticipated regulations, CAGBC released the ZCB – Design Standard version 3 on June 20, 2022. This version addresses critical imperatives including reducing the embodied carbon of materials and eliminating onsite combustion. ZCB-Design v3 establishes a clear path to zero operational carbon and a 40 percent reduction in new construction embodied carbon by 2030.
Projects that registered under ZCB-Design v2 must submit for certification before September 30, 2024, or upgrade to version 3.
Understanding ZCB-Design requirements
Carbon | Zero carbon balance | Model a zero carbon balance |
---|---|---|
Embodied carbon | Minimum level of performance required | |
Refrigerants | Report total quantity | |
RECs and carbon offsets | Provide quote | |
Onsite combustion | For space heating, only below -10 C Provide a transition plan | |
Energy | Energy efficiency | Meet one of three approaches |
Peak demand | Report seasonal peaks | |
Airtightness | Report and justify modelled value | |
Impact & Innovation | Apply two strategies |
Getting Started
Pursuing ZCB-Design is simple. Review the Standard and register online. When the project team is prepared to submit documentation for review, the certification fee can be paid online through the project’s profile. For full details, review the ZCB Standards Certification Guide.
When you receive confirmation of certification, be sure to promote your accomplishment. You can refer to the Marketing Support page to strengthen your promotion efforts.
Pricing
Project fees are based on a project’s certification pathway and size. Fees are not refundable and may change at any time.
CAGBC Member Discounts: ZCB-Design registration discounts are determined automatically based on the CAGBC membership status of the person registering the project online. To be eligible for discounts to the certification fee, the building owner or property management organization must be a current CAGBC Specialist member. For public-private-partnership (P3) design projects, the organization that owns the building or any organization that is a member of the P3 consortium responsible for financing may qualify the project for discounted rates at certification.
Project resources
Access the Standard and the tools projects need to achieve certification:
- Zero Carbon Building Standards Certification Guide applies to all versions
- ZCB-Performance™
- ZCB Interpretations for use by all versions
ZCB-Design Standard v3
- ZCB-Design Standard v3
- Energy Modelling Guidelines v3
- Life Cycle Cost Calculator
- ZCB-Design v3 Workbook
- Embodied Carbon Reporting Template v3
ZCB-Design Standard v2
Registration closed September 30, 2022. Submissions close September 30, 2024.
- ZCB-Design Standard v2 Updated July 2021
- Energy Modelling Guidelines
- Life cycle Cost Calculator
- ZCB-Design v2 Workbook Updated December 2020
- Embodied Carbon Reporting Template