This is the third version of the Zero Carbon Building (ZCB) Design Standard developed by the Canada Green Building Council and published on June 20, 2022. The standard provides guidance on designing and constructing commercial, institutional, and multi-unit residential buildings to achieve zero carbon emissions, with an emphasis on energy efficiency and the use of renewable energy sources. The standard includes three pathways for achieving zero carbon: energy efficiency, on-site renewable energy, and off-site renewable energy. It also sets performance metrics for various building components, including envelope, lighting, HVAC systems, and renewable energy systems, as well as requirements for monitoring and reporting energy consumption and carbon emissions. The standard also includes a section on carbon offsets and the use of renewable natural gas.

Keywords: Building Retrofits, Climate Change, Energy Efficiency/Management, HVAC & Indoor Air Quality (IAQ), Large Building Controls/Automation, Lighting Systems/Controls, Protocols/Standards, Renewable Energy, Zero Net Energy, CAGBC, Zero Carbon Building, carbon offsets, deep retrofit