CARBON REDUCTION STRATEGIES
Navigating the NHS Net Zero Building Standard
Sarah Butler, Business Case lead at Drees & Sommer UK, explores what the NHS Net Zero Building Standard means for NHS Trusts, the challenges they may face, and why the role of the Net Zero Carbon Coordinator is vital. Scott Rushton, Associate at Drees & Sommer UK, adds his expertise as a Net Zero Carbon and Sustainability specialist to explain the purpose of the role, and why engaging with sufficiently qualified experts is key.
Published in February 2023, the NHS Net Zero Building Standard (NHS NZBS) represents a critical step towards sustainable, energy-efficient healthcare facilities in the UK, supporting the NHS’s goal of achieving Net Zero carbon emissions by 2040. The scale of the sustainability challenge facing the NHS is underlined by the fact that its estate currently accounts for 15% of all of the organisation’s annual emissions, while the NHS itself makes up more than 40% of all public sector emissions each year. To address the organisation’s carbon footprint, the NHS NZBS provides detailed technical guidance for the development of new buildings and major upgrades to existing facilities. This guidance aligns with the UK Government’s sustainability targets, requiring adherence to specific criteria for energy efficiency and resilience. The NHS NZBS is mandatory for every investment in new buildings and upgrades to existing facilities that are subject to the HM Treasury business case approval process, making compliance with the NHS NZBS a cornerstone of project planning and execution. However, the lack of a widespread public roll-out has left many NHS Trusts unaware of the standard, which could potentially stall vital infrastructure projects, as it risks them not getting the sign-off they need.
The Net Zero Carbon Coordinator A crucial aspect at the heart of the NHS NZBS is the role of the Net Zero Carbon Coordinator (NZCC). The NZCC’s responsibilities are both technical and multidisciplinary, requiring extensive knowledge of operational energy management and experience within healthcare design teams. The NZCC ensures that all projects comply with the NHS NZBS, utilising the appropriate tools and effectively communicating complex technical requirements across various disciplines. Without the involvement of a qualified NZCC, NHS
Trusts risk having their business cases rejected, leading to significant delays and wasted resources. This makes the NZCC not only beneficial, but essential for the successful progression of any construction or upgrade project subject to a business case. The Standard itself is the overarching document that must be applied to every aspect of the design and business case stages. It has been designed to be used throughout a project’s lifecycle, from preparation and briefing, through to handover and in-use. In this way the NZBS becomes a throughline for a project from RIBA stage one to seven. The NZBS provides the following tools to be used during the process:
n Whole Life Carbon (WLC) Compliance Tool. n Operational Energy and Carbon (OE&C) Compliance Tool.
n Design Management Tool.
Table 1 (overleaf) has been developed by Drees & Sommer UK to provide clarity around the tools and the other elements of the NZBS and the necessities of implementing tools and developing reports at specific points in the business case process.
Challenges and implications for NHS Trusts NHS Estates teams are already operating under significant strain due to budget constraints and recruitment challenges. The additional requirements of the NHS NZBS, including the appointment of a NZCC, have the potential to further stretch these teams. Given these constraints, many Trusts may need to seek external expertise to ensure compliance, which adds complexity and cost to their projects. Despite these challenges, adherence to the NHS NZBS is mandatory, and needs strategic planning and resource allocation. The NHS NZBS dictates the appointment of a ‘suitably qualified’ NZCC to oversee the implementation of the guidance, but doesn’t clearly define what constitutes ‘suitably qualified’. This may pose issues for NHS Trusts when appointing someone to the role, leaving room for interpretation, which could result in non-compliance. Given the complex nature of NHS estates, Trusts should
look beyond the NZCC role as a requirement, and re-frame the position to be an essential component of
October 2024 Health Estate Journal 83
Net Zero Carbon Coordinators that have extensive experience can collaborate and communicate effectively with all stakeholders due to their broad knowledge base.
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