Department of Energy Defines “Zero-Emissions Buildings”

Originally published on August 7, 2024, by Eric Schmutz for NAIOP.

In June the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) released the National Definition of a Zero Emissions Building (ZEB). This definition is the result of DOE and White House listening sessions held over the past year to obtain stakeholder concerns and feedback. 

Under the national definition, a building that achieves zero operational emissions from energy use must be, at a minimum:

  • Energy efficient.
  • Free of on-site emissions from energy use.
  • Powered solely by clean energy.

DOE states that the new ZEB definition is not a regulatory standard or certification; the definition should be used as a guidance that public and private entities may adopt to determine whether a building has zero emissions from operational energy use. The definition has been developed to apply to existing buildings and new commercial and residential structures construction. Operational emissions are based on the whole building’s energy use, including emissions from tenants, and do not include carbon offsets.

Read More
Share this post: