Zero Carbon Certification
The vision for a future of carbon positive buildings + materials that reverse the effects of climate change and support thriving local economics.
A vision for the future
The International Living Future Institute’s Zero Carbon Certification presents a bold vision for a future in which buildings are a positive force for climate response — helping to draw down emissions and slow global warming. This certification program tackles both operational and embodied carbon emissions, providing organizations with a powerful tool to showcase their commitment to sustainable practices. Zero Carbon certified buildings undergo a 12-month performance period and verification by a third party to ensure they are energy-efficient, combustion-free (or actively phasing out combustion), and powered by renewable sources.
Discover more about this groundbreaking, performance-based carbon standard that addresses both operational and embodied carbon, and join a community of global leaders in taking decisive climate action today.
ILFI launched ZC 1.1 on April 4, 2024. Looking for an older version of the Standard and Handbook? Click here.
Supporters & Affiliates
ILFI is at the forefront of advancing research and standards in this field. We are proud to collaborate with industry leaders Amazon, JLL, JPMorgan Chase, and Prologis, who are providing their support and industry expertise. Together, we are developing the next version of the program, which includes a certification pathway for existing assets.
With the generous support of these companies, ILFI is creating new guidance tailored for existing assets seeking certification without major capital projects. This update will make the program more accessible to a wider range of projects, further driving the market toward lower carbon buildings and operations.
Through this collaboration, ILFI is updating and extending its certification program, thereby accelerating credible decarbonization efforts in the real estate sector. Join us in leading the way to a more regenerative future.
Featured Case Studies
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ARCHIMANIA’S OFFICE
Memphis, TN, USA
Zero Carbon Certified
LBC 3.1
VITAL STATS PROJECT TEAM BUILDING SYSTEMS INFORMATION MECHANICAL HEATING AND COOLING The archimania office building consists of two geothermal variable speed fan and variable speed compressor heat pumps. One heat pumps serves the open office seating area and operates in a single zone variable air volume (VAV) configuration. The second heat pumps serves office and…
Building
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Eindhoven DC4
Eindhoven, Netherlands
Zero Carbon Certified
VITAL STATS Certification StatusZero Carbon CertifiedVersion1.0LocationEindhoven, NetherlandsTypologyNew BuildingGross Building Area425,680 SFStart of OccupancyJanuary 2021Occupancy TypeLogistics WarehouseNumber of Occupants80 PROJECT TEAM OwnerPrologisGeneral ContractorVan der Heijden Bouw en OntwikkelingArchitectArchifitMEP EngineerHeesmans Installatie Techniek B.V.Strucutural EngineerVerhoeven en Leenders B.V.WELL advisorM3EBREEAM advisorM3ELandscapeDolmans Landscaping Group RENEWABLE PRODUCTION SYSTEMS INFORMATION ENERGY PERFORMANCE Renewable TypeSolar Electric (PV)Total Renewable Capacity1397 kWRenewable LocationOn-site Embodied Carbon…
Building
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Lon 6 Pancras Square
London, United Kingdom
Zero Carbon Certified
LBC 3.1
The stated goal of the program, building, and site development was to promote a healthy working environment where Google employees enjoy coming to work. The project encompassed a full tenant improvement fit-out. The building houses office, office support, and amenity spaces. The project was intentionally designed to prioritize flexibility. Lean design strategies, including modular systems…
Renovation
Why Certify Zero Carbon?
AUTHENTICITY – Zero matters. Zero Carbon certification is the only standard to measure actual decarbonization, not just reward carbon calculations or modest reductions.
RESILIENCY – Zero Carbon buildings operate efficiently, phase out combustion, and use renewables. They are the safest properties when weather or energy markets shift.
VALUE – The world’s largest companies, investors, and cities are already decarbonizing. Zero Carbon buildings are future-proof to remain valuable in a post carbon building market.