NET-ZERO COMMITMENTS MUST BE BACKED BY CREDIBLE ACTION

The Agreement sets long-term goals to guide all nations to:

• substantially reduce global greenhouse gas emissions to hold global temperature increase to well below 2°C above pre-industrial levels and pursue efforts to limit it to 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels, recognizing that this would significantly reduce the risks and impacts of climate change
• periodically assess the collective progress towards achieving the purpose of this agreement and its long-term goals
• provide financing to developing countries to mitigate climate change, strengthen resilience and enhance abilities to adapt to climate impacts.

Commitments from all countries to reduce their emissions and work together to adapt to the impacts of climate change, and calls on countries to strengthen their commitments over time. The Agreement provides a pathway for developed nations to assist developing nations in their climate mitigation and adaptation efforts while creating a framework for the transparent monitoring and reporting of countries’ climate goals.

The Paris Agreement provides a durable framework guiding the global effort for decades to come. It marks the beginning of a shift towards a net-zero emissions world. Implementation of the Agreement is also essential for the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals.

Net Zero Operational Carbon

Definition

When the amount of carbon dioxide emissions associated with building operations on an annual basis is reduced (highly energy efficient and fully powered from on-site and/or off-site renewable energy sources) to a level that is consistent with reaching net zero at the global or sector level in 1.5oC pathways. Any residual emissions that remain unfeasible to eliminate should be neutralised through carbon removals.

Guiding Principles

• Reduce and optimise energy demand

  consumption reduction and energy efficiency to ensure that buildings are performing as efficiently as possible, and not wasting energy.
• Generate balance from renewables
  
Supply remaining demand from renewable energy sources, either on-site or off-site.
• Compensate for residual emissions
  
Offset residual operational emissions, such as from refrigerants or the use of unavoidable fossil fuels in buildings with high quality, credible compensation activities.
• Plan for deep decarbonisation
  
Set up action plans to remove any remaining sources of fossil fuels in buildings as soon as possible.

Net Zero Operational Carbon

Definition

When, in addition to net zero operational carbon, upfront carbon and other embodied carbon across the building lifecycle is reduced to a level that is consistent with reaching net zero at the global or sector level in 1.5oC pathways. Any residual emissions that remain unfeasible to eliminate should be neutralised through carbon removals.

Guiding Principles

• Prevent
  
Avoid embodied carbon from the outset by considering alternative strategies to deliver the desired function (e.g. renovation of existing buildings rather than new development etc.)
• Reduce and optimise

  Evaluate each design choice using a whole lifecycle approach and seek to minimise upfront carbon impacts (e.g. lean construction, low carbon materials and construction processes etc.)
• Plan for the future
  
Take steps to avoid future embodied carbon during and at end of life (e.g. maximise potential for renovation, future adaptation, circularity etc.)
• Compensate for residual emissions

  Offset residual upfront embodied carbon emissions with high quality, credible compensation activities.