ZCB v1.0

Zero Carbon Building Certification (ZCB Certification) serves as a quantitative measure for not only the carbon emissions generated within the entire building sector, including buildings, stores, and construction sites but also assesses the carbon reduction achieved through various carbon reduction activities. This certification system places a strong emphasis on evaluating the life-cycle carbon impact and calculates the Zero Carbon Building Index (ZCBI).

ZCB Certification addresses issues such as varying evaluation results due to the evaluator’s discretion and the lack of a management system for assessment outcomes resulting from the absence of a quantitative and standardized evaluation system for existing carbon emissions and reductions. The certification process categorizes carbon reduction activities into Carbon Reduction, Carbon Absorption, Carbon Capture, and Carbon Offset, providing quantifiable metrics for carbon reduction accomplishments.

Furthermore, ZCB Certification operates with the overarching goal of contributing to the realization of carbon neutrality within the building sector by minimizing carbon emissions and optimizing carbon reduction efforts. The Zero Carbon Building Design (ZCB Design) framework introduced by ZCB Certification includes elements such as passive design, active design, and potential design. These elements contribute to achieving Net-Zero status within the sustainable building sector by prioritizing low emissions and optimal reduction from the initial design planning stages, as opposed to striving for high emissions and extensive reduction. It is a comprehensive certification system that facilitates this vision.

The Zero Carbon Building Index is calculated based on the assessment outcomes of the Carbon Neutral Building Certification (ZCB Certification). It represents the percentage of carbon reduction (Carbon Avoided) achieved through various carbon reduction activities in relation to the total process carbon emissions (Carbon Emitted).

The method for calculating carbon emissions and reductions throughout the entire process for the Zero Carbon Building Index (ZCBI) is an evaluation system recognized for its validity by international greenhouse gas verification bodies based on the international standards ISO 14064-2:2019 and ISO 14067:2018 principles.

Carbon emissions and reductions are quantitatively assessed to evaluate carbon-neutral performance across the entire lifecycle, spanning the production stage (A1-A3), construction stage (A4-A5), operation stage (B1-B7), and disposal stage (C1-C4). This comprehensive evaluation covers the entire cycle, from raw material collection and manufacturing to transportation, construction, operation, maintenance, dismantling, and disposal.

Carbon Emitted is influenced passively by various technological and institutional enhancements, including improvements in energy performance, such as energy-efficient design plans, enhanced insulation capabilities, improved efficiency of heat source facilities, and reduced raw material usage achieved through advancements in material performance, such as high-performance concrete. We target and assess carbon emissions associated with Carbon Passive Design activities.

The amount of carbon reduction is determined through various means, including the use of low-carbon construction materials, adoption of low-carbon construction methods, utilization of eco-friendly construction equipment, installation of new and renewable energy sources, implementation of carbon sinks on the site, application of carbon capture, storage, and utilization technology (CCUS), and the attainment of carbon neutrality through carbon credits from external reduction projects. To achieve this, we assess the quantity of carbon reduction (Carbon Avoided) by actively engaging in carbon reduction activities under the framework of Carbon Active Design.

The Zero Carbon Building Certification (ZCB Certification) is based on ISO 14040s (Life Cycle Assessment) and consists of six stages by maintaining a system from the production phase, construction phase, operation phase, to the disposal phase, and by extending the system boundary for the Pre Life Cycle and Beyond Life Cycle according to the ZCB certification purposes differentiated by project types and characteristics. The ZCB Certification necessarily evaluates carbon neutrality performance from the production phase to the disposal phase, Cradle to Grave, according to the ZCB Certification guidelines.

The Beyond Life Cycle refers to the stages after the lifecycle of a building. It is an additional stage presented in this ZCB Certification to consider carbon reduction activities after the demolition of a building for long-term realization of carbon neutrality. The D1 process targets carbon reduction through the recovery, recycling, and reuse of construction waste and resources for resource circulation in the construction industry or other industries. The D2 process targets potential carbon reduction through Carbon Potential Design that can contribute to the environmental impact by creating green spaces and rest areas instead of carbon emissions through new construction activities on the site or building after its lifecycle.

The Zero Carbon Building Index is calculated based on the assessment outcomes of the Carbon Neutral Building Certification (ZCB Certification). It represents the percentage of carbon reduction (Carbon Avoided) achieved through various carbon reduction activities in relation to the total process carbon emissions (Carbon Emitted).

After final review of the assessment results, certification and a certification report will be issued, and in the case of self-certification, an additional certification plaque will be issued.

The certification is issued by the operating body, the Zero Carbon Building Council (ZCBC), and the certificate provides approximate information on the intended use (new construction, existing buildings, remodeling, retail, construction sites), certification grade, and the certifying body that conducted the assessment.

The certification report is issued by the certifying body that conducted the assessment and provides detailed information on the intended use (new construction, existing buildings, remodeling, retail, construction sites), as well as the carbon neutral performance (carbon emissions, carbon reduction) evaluation results throughout the lifecycle, the Zero Carbon Building Index, and the certification grade.

The certification plaque is issued upon completion of Zero Carbon Building Certification (ZCB Certification), and the material (stainless steel-silver, stainless steel-gold, wood, acrylic) and shape (square, rectangle, circle, other shapes) can be selected by the applicant or user for commissioning and production.