UKNZCBS - An introduction to key roles
- 16 hours ago
- 2 min read
Version 1 of the UK Net Zero Carbon Buildings Standard (UKNZCBS) was published in March 2026, establishing a unified definition of net zero carbon for UK buildings for the first time. Achieving conformity with the Standard is not a single-discipline task. It requires a coordinated team of roles working across the full project lifecycle, from early briefing through to ongoing building operation.
The Standard sets out ten distinct roles involved in delivering a net zero carbon aligned building. Some are mandatory for any conformity claim to be valid; others are strongly recommended to maximise the chances of success. The table below sets out each role, what it involves, and the project stages at which each is typically active, mapped against the RIBA Plan of Work 2020.
A few points worth noting. The Standard places particular emphasis on early appointment. Both the Net Zero Carbon Coordinator and the Whole Life Carbon Assessor should ideally be engaged from the briefing stage, as decisions made early in design have the greatest influence on a building's carbon performance. The Verifier, by contrast, must remain entirely independent of the project and is typically engaged once the building is occupied and sufficient in-use performance data has been collected.
Bureau Veritas has been confirmed as sole Verifier and Verification Administrator for the first twelve months of the Standard, acting as a single point of contact for the verification process while a wider pool of accredited verifiers is developed.
We are supporting projects in the role of Net Zero Carbon Coordinator. If you are working on a project that needs to align with the UKNZCBS, or if you would like to better understand what the Standard means for your development, get in touch to find out how we can help.
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