Zero Carbon Building – Performance - Canada Green Building Council (CAGBC)

For building operations

Achieving Zero Carbon Building – Performance Standard™ certification means taking responsibility for all carbon emissions associated with building operations, and eliminating climate impacts. Using utility and other data sources, this certification evaluates building performance annually.

ZCB-Performance™ evaluates carbon emissions from normal building operations such as heating and cooling. It also accounts for potential refrigerant leaks and the embodied carbon of new structural and envelope materials. The Standard recognizes the value of renewable energy and high-quality carbon offsets while encouraging strategies that account for the ever-increasing demand on electrical grids.

The ZCB-Performance Standard can be used by any building. Projects with combustion equipment must create a costed zero-carbon transition plan to show how equipment will be adapted over time to achieve decarbonization, often through regular equipment replacement life cycles.

Understanding ZCB-Performance requirements

Carbon

Requirement	Description
Zero carbon balance	Achieve zero carbon balance
Embodied carbon	Offset embodied carbon
Refrigerants	Offset any leaks
RECs and carbon offsets	Provide proof of purchase
Onsite combustion	Update transition plan every 5 years

Energy

Requirement	Description
Energy efficiency	Report EUI
Peak demand	Report seasonal peaks
Airtightness	Conduct testing if ZCB-Design certified

Questions? Send us an email

Getting started

Pursuing ZCB-Performance is simple. Review the Standard and complete the workbook, providing one year of performance data. When you are ready, register online and submit your documentation for review. For full details, review the ZCB Standards Certification Guide.

When you receive a confirmation of certification, be sure to promote a year of operation without impact to the climate. You can refer to the Marketing Support page to aid 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-Performance projects are eligible for discounts if the building owner or property management organization is a current CAGBC Specialist member.

DOWNLOAD THE PRICING GUIDE