INDUSTRY COMMENT
A retrospective look back at the past 12 months in the ever-evolving BEMS sector
As we move into 2026, Stacey Lucas, President of the Building Controls Association (BCIA) looks back at the past 12 months highlighting just how much the building energy management systems (BEMS) sector has evolved and taken on an even greater role in the UK’s journey towards Net Zero by 2050
T
he first half of 2025 saw significant changes and updates to best practice and guidance, such as the launch of the pilot version of the UK Net Zero Carbon Building Standard (UKNZCBS).
Offering a clear and consistent methodology for defining and achieving net zero carbon alongside transparent but strict guidelines, this initiative will help industry professionals prove compliance and demonstrate how their assets align with the UK’s carbon and energy targets. The Climate Change Committee (CCC)’s Seventh Carbon Budget (CB7) recommendations also set out the emissions reduction required between 2038 and 2042 for the UK to stay on an achievable and realistic path towards net zero in 2050. The recommended target is an 87% reduction in UK emissions by 2040. With BEMS able to manage and control heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC), and lighting to optimise energy use, the CCC suggests advanced building controls and automation systems can achieve up to a 30% reduction in energy consumption. Research also suggested it would take until at least 2040 for all rented commercial properties to meet the Energy Performance Certificates (EPC) ratings of ‘B’ or above target – required by 2030 as a result of the Minimum Energy Efficiency Standards (MEES).
This illustrates the importance of utilising building controls and automation systems to
decarbonise the sector and help commercial real estate meet these targets. In England, the government also announced a commitment to add an extra £625 million in funding to boost skills across the built environment. This was expected to deliver up to 60,000 additional skilled workers this Parliament. Additionally, it would likely have a major impact on the building controls and automation sector, with the funding helping to address skills gaps and enhance decarbonisation technologies. Despite the ongoing cost-of-living crisis and skills shortages, the BEMS market showed strong signs of resilience throughout 2025. In fact, the Building Controls Industry Association’s (BCIA) recent market report revealed a significant growth in service and maintenance and promising stability in product sales, revenue and installation value added. With industry-accredited competency
cards phased out and regulations ever-more stringent, proving skills and competence gained importance. As a result, the BCIA was tasked with developing a full-career competency framework for BEMS and consulted with the sector to welcome views as to how revalidation could be undertaken.
The focus will be to develop a pathway that enables individuals to provide evidence of their skills, experience and qualifications, enabling individuals to apply for the relevant Electrotechnical Certification Scheme (ECS) cards. As the sector’s only recognised association, the BCIA was keen to evidence the value of
Service
building controls and support the cases that the UKNZCBS and CB7 recommendations make. Consequently, it launched a new technical white paper, entitled ‘Comfort, Efficiency, and Health: The Untapped Potential of Building Energy Management Systems’, that drew on real-life data to highlight the considerable impact BEMS can have on building energy use, carbon emissions, costs and occupant health. While undoubtedly a proud moment for the association, this white paper is a milestone for the BEMS sector, helping drive the sector forward in terms of acknowledgement and recognition. With sustainability and energy efficiency now at the forefront of building design, the BEMS sector has increasingly taken a prominent role in the decarbonisation of the UK’s building stock. The year 2025 was a challenging yet rewarding year for the sector and 2026 looks set to be the same.
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Jan26.indd 1 17/03/2025 14:53:16 11/12/25 13:28 BUILDING SERVICES & ENVIRONMENTAL ENGINEER JANUARY 2026 13
Thomas Wiggan Material Scheduler/Estimator
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