The Scottish Government developed the Net Zero Public Sector Building Standard in 2021. The intent of the NZPSBS for Existing Buildings is to set a clear route to achieving NZ outcomes for buildings in line with the Net Zero Deadline set by each public sector organisation.
Following the principles of the original Standard for New Builds and Major Refurbishments, the NZPSBS for Existing Buildings explores the impact of construction, maintenance and lifecycle interventions under three core principles.
Whilst a voluntary standard, the NZPSBS for Existing Buildings supports organisations consider the impact of not only operational energy carbon impacts of NZ interventions, but the impact on the 'Place', 'Environment' and 'Whole Life' of the building setting outcomes and targets associated with each, in order to 'prove compliance' of achieving healthy, inclusive buildings along a Net Zero path. Standard compliant projects also need to commit to Zero Direct Emissions Heating technology to be compliant; majoring on electrification of heat or opportunities to connect to, or create heat networks.
The NZPSBS for Existing Buildings also majors on 'verifying' outcomes related to NZ investment, proving outcomes 'in use'. Generally, PPP projects benefit from structured energy and internal environmental performance reporting over traditional public sector operating buildings, through monthly reporting and Helpdesk logs. Such activities place PPP projects that at the forefront of buildings where 'in use' outcomes of investments may be appropriately monitored and verified with limited additional time and expense over business as usual activities.
As the NZPSBS for Existing Buildings develops, organisations are encouraged to engage with it and should refer to the latest version of the Standards. Further details of the Standard can be found on SFT's website