In a collaborative effort, the Irish Green Building Council (IGBC) and the Royal Institute of the Architects of Ireland (RIAI) have launched a comprehensive joint program.

The program includes research, support tools, guidance, and professional up-skilling, all aimed at tackling the urgent decarbonisation of our built environment. By working together, the organisations aim to drive sustainable practices and foster positive change in the construction industry towards a greener, more environmentally conscious future.

Design4Zero is funded by the Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland (SEAI) under its National Energy Research Development and Demonstration Programme.

The project partners, IGBC and RIAI, will develop a framework to address energy use and embodied carbon through a whole life carbon “design for performance” approach. Building on a broad range of research and expertise, the Design4Zero project will help guide Ireland on a pathway to zero emissions buildings aligned with the proposed revision of the Energy Performance of Buildings Directive (EPBD).

The EPBD is the main driver behind the current operational energy use requirements of Part L of the Irish building regulations. The EPBD recast, passed by the European Parliament in March 2023, sets out that all buildings should achieve Zero Emission Building (ZEB) performance, by 2030 for new builds and 2050 for existing buildings. It also introduces requirements for calculating the whole life-cycle Global Warming Potential (GWP) of new buildings. Many aspects around implementing the EPBD recast need to be worked out at national and EU levels, however a robust design for performance and reporting framework will be a fundamental starting point for achieving its aims.

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To have a maximum impact on the industry, the Design4Zero Framework will be used to update the RIAI’s 2030 Climate Challenge aimed at building designers to transition them from a culture of ‘design for compliance’ to ‘design for performance’ across the full life cycle of buildings, including performance targets for energy and water in use and embodied carbon. It will also be integrated into the Home Performance Index and inform Green Public Procurement (GPP).

To ensure the Framework is highly practical and implementable, and to create a long-lasting impact, it will be developed through extensive stakeholder engagement and collaboration with the extensive networks of both partners, consisting of Architects along with Architectural Technologists, Engineers, developers, investors, educators, local authorities and central government. Design4Zero will build capacity within the industry, support energy efficiency improvement and contribute to a reduction of CO2 emissions in the built environment.

Pat Barry, CEO of the IGBCl, said: "This collaboration enables us to influence the design process and pave the way for zero-emissions buildings in alignment with the upcoming EPBD recast. With the support of SEAI, Design4Zero can drive the transition towards zero carbon buildings."

Pranash Ramanundh, RIAI Practice Director said: "The RIAI is delighted to partner with the IGBC on this important project which supports decarbonisation of the built environment and will help align design processes to contribute to Climate Change action and the RIAI Climate Change policy. Architects can lead on this through design. The RIAI will deliver on two key areas. We will deliver the training component from a proven track record in upskilling of registered members as well as civil service officials and will leverage the networks of both organisations to disseminate the findings and education stemming from this initiative, with a robust communications strategy."