Net Zero Building Pathway

A practical framework for achieving net zero at the building level—from baseline to implementation to verification and (optionally) certification.

Scope 3, Made PracticalCorePathway90 min setup

Disclaimer: Educational only. "Net zero" definitions vary. Claims should be reviewed internally and aligned with the chosen standard/certification.

What you'll accomplish

By following this pathway, you will:

Define what "net zero" means for your building (no vague claims)
Establish a defensible baseline (energy + emissions + evidence)
Create a prioritized project pipeline (operational fixes → efficiency → electrification → renewables)
Decide what is feasible and what requires capital planning
Verify progress with measurement and documentation
Maintain net zero performance over time (not just a one-time project)

Who this is for

•Building owners and operators
•Asset managers planning capital programs
•Facilities teams executing projects and operating buildings
•Sustainability teams responsible for targets and reporting

Net zero in plain English

Net zero at the building level usually means:

1) Measure

Operational emissions

2) Reduce

As much as practical (efficiency + electrification)

3) Supply

Remaining energy with renewables

4) Verify

Results and maintain performance

Different standards define net zero differently. Your first job is to choose and document your definition.

Quick start (90 minutes)

Write a one-paragraph net zero definition for this building (Template A)

Pull the last 12 months of utility and fuel data (evidence-linked)

Calculate baseline EUI and Scope 1/2 emissions (directional is fine)

Identify the top 10 measures (operational + capex)

Start a project pipeline table (Template D)

Step-by-step pathway

1Define the net zero target (no ambiguity)

Choose:

• Net zero operational carbon (most common)
• Net zero energy (energy balanced with renewables; not always equal to carbon)
• A specific standard/certification approach (optional; document if used)

Document:

• building boundary (what meters and fuels are included)
• leased asset treatment (tenant utilities included or not)
• market-based vs location-based reporting
• treatment of refrigerants (often material in some buildings)

Beginner rule: a precise definition prevents accidental greenwashing.

2Establish the baseline (measure first)

Minimum baseline dataset:

• Electricity (kWh) with billing period + evidence
• Gas/fuel (therms, gallons, etc.) with evidence
• Refrigerant events (if available)
• Building area (sq ft or sq m)
• Occupancy and operating hours notes

Core baseline outputs:

• EUI (kWh/area/year)
• Scope 2 emissions (location-based; market-based if applicable)
• Scope 1 emissions (fuels + refrigerants, if in scope)

3Fix operations before buying hardware (highest ROI)

Operational measures (often fastest payback):

• scheduling and setbacks
• setpoint and deadband tuning
• economizer and controls tuning
• recommissioning and preventive maintenance
• peak management and sequencing

Deliverable: an operational actions log with dates and measured impact

4Reduce load through efficiency (capex-light to capex-heavy)

Efficiency measures:

• lighting upgrades + controls
• envelope improvements (where feasible)
• plug load management strategies
• ventilation optimization (balanced with IAQ requirements)

Deliverable: measure list with estimated savings and implementation plan

5Electrify major end uses (Scope 1 reduction lever)

Electrification is how many buildings reduce Scope 1 (combustion) emissions:

• heat pumps for space heating
• heat pump water heating
• electrified cooking (where applicable)

Deliverable: electrification feasibility notes + constraints + sequencing plan

6Supply with renewables (onsite and/or procured)

Options:

• onsite solar (where feasible)
• offsite renewable procurement (where allowed and aligned with your reporting method)
• renewable matching coverage planning

Deliverable: renewable plan with scope boundary and evidence requirements

7Address residual emissions (carefully)

Residuals can include:

• remaining combustion loads (if electrification not feasible yet)
• refrigerant leakage
• tenant-related emissions (depending on boundary)

If offsets are used: document what is offset, why it's residual, and how it's verified. Avoid claiming "net zero" without transparent disclosures.

8Verify and maintain (net zero is a process)

Verification includes:

• monthly data QA
• anomaly detection
• change logs for restatements
• measurement and verification (M&V) for major measures

Deliverable: monthly carbon close for the building (or portfolio)

9Optional: certification readiness

If pursuing a certification:

• create an evidence binder
• ensure boundary and claims match certification requirements
• document methods and approvals

Deliverable: certification checklist + evidence binder links

Templates (copy/paste)

Template A — Net Zero Definition (one paragraph)

Net Zero Building Definition (Internal)

For building [NAME], "net zero" means:
- Boundary: [meters/fuels included]
- Period: [annual, calendar year]
- Emissions included: [Scope 1 fuels, refrigerants, Scope 2 electricity]
- Tenant utilities: [included/excluded; method]
- Reporting method: [location-based and/or market-based, if applicable]
- Renewable approach: [onsite/offsite], evidence requirements
- Residuals and offsets: [policy and disclosures]

Template B — Baseline Data Table (starter)

Period start	Period end	Electricity (kWh)	Fuel (unit)	Fuel amount	Refrigerant events	Notes	Evidence link
—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—

Template C — Measures List (prioritization)

Measure	Type	Estimated impact	Cost	Effort	Risk	Owner	Next step
—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—

Template D — Project Pipeline Table

Project	Stage	Start date	End date	Expected savings	Measurement plan	Owner	Notes
—	—	—	—	—	—	—	—

Template E — Net Zero Readiness Scorecard (simple)

Net Zero Readiness Scorecard (0–10)

Start at 0, add:
+2 Baseline utility data evidence-linked (12 months)
+2 EUI and Scope 1/2 baseline calculated and documented
+2 Operational tuning plan implemented (and tracked)
+2 Capex roadmap for efficiency/electrification exists
+2 Renewable strategy defined with evidence requirements

Interpretation:
0–3: early
4–6: moving
7–8: credible plan
9–10: execution + verification ready

Template F — Safe Claim Language (starter)

Safe claim language examples (starter)

Internal:
"This building is on a net zero pathway with a defined boundary, baseline, and an execution roadmap. Progress is measured monthly."

External (only if defensible):
"For reporting period [YEAR], this building achieved [defined result] for the stated boundary. We maintain evidence for consumption, methods, and renewable instruments, and disclose limitations."

Common pitfalls

•Declaring "net zero" without defining boundary and method
•Treating renewables as a substitute for efficiency (usually backwards)
•Ignoring refrigerants (can be material)
•No M&V plan (you can't prove impact)
•No ongoing QA (performance drifts after projects)

KPIs to track

•EUI trend (kWh/area/year)
•Scope 2 emissions trend (tCO2e)
•Scope 1 combustion reduction trend (if applicable)
•Renewable coverage % (for the defined boundary)
•Peak kW trend (cost and grid impact)
•Comfort/IAQ guardrails (don't break the building)

Change log

v1.0 (2026-01): Latest release