Navigating the path to net zero

• The legal framework for green building is dynamic. Significant changes, such as the Carbon Emissions (Buildings) Bill, are on the horizon.
• Practitioners must guide clients through complex obligations, from biodiversity net gain to whole-life carbon accounting.
• Future-proofing strategies are essential to meet stricter standards such as the 2025 Future Homes Standard.

Green building refers to the adoption of environmentally sustainable materials, technologies and construction methods aimed at reducing carbon emissions and minimising environmental impact throughout a building’s lifecycle, including its design, construction, operation and refurbishment phases. Over the past decade, green building has evolved from an industry buzzword to a cornerstone of the UK’s climate strategy. With a legally binding commitment to net-zero emissions by 2050, the construction sector plays a critical role in addressing the environmental and societal impacts of climate change.

However, achieving this vision demands more than technological advances or aesthetic shifts; it requires a robust legal framework that governs and incentivises sustainable