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.
The Pilot Program for the Zero Carbon update is now open and accepting applications! New certification opportunities are available for Existing Buildings that are in operation, with no construction work required. To learn more, click here.
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.
Living Future launched ZC 1.1 on April 4, 2024. Looking for an older version of the Standard and Handbook? Click here.
Supporters & Affiliates
Living Future 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, Living Future 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, Living Future 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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300 Kansas
San Francisco, CA, USA
Project Overview Project Name 300 Kansas Certification Type Zero Carbon 1.0 Location San Francisco, CA, USA Typology Core & Shell R&D and Advanced Manufacturing Facility Area 150,000 square feet Start of Occupancy Unoccupided Occupancy Type Core and Shell Lab – Office Occupancy Core and Shell – 2Overall – 417 Photograph courtesy of Jason O’Rear The…
Building
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Alfa Campus
HaMerkaz, Israel
Zero Carbon Certified
LBC 4.0
Alfa Campus, home of Alfa Sustainable Projects Limited, exemplifies a commitment to sustainability and employee well-being. The facility employs biogas digester systems to process food scraps and blackwater, producing biogas for cooking and water heating. Interior design emphasizes low-carbon materials, incorporating reused furniture and recycled elements to reduce embodied carbon. Real-time monitoring of energy consumption,…
Building
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Archimania’s Office
Memphis, TN, USA
Zero Carbon Certified
LBC 3.1
Vital Stats Certification Status Zero Energy & Zero Carbon Certified Location Memphis, TN, USA Typology Building Gross Building Area 7,225 SF Start of Occupancy April 2019 Owner Occupied Yes Occupancy Type Commercial Number of Occupants 22 Project Team Owner archimania General Contractor Grinder Taber & Grinder Architect archimania Mechanical Engineer Haltom Engineering Electrical Engineer DePouw…
Building
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.