Resource context (publisher & authors)
Implenia’s whitepaper “Net Zero: How to take the path to net zero carbon buildings” is a 2023 publication from Implenia’s Real Estate Development division. Implenia is an international construction and real estate services provider headquartered in Switzerland. The document is positioned as practical guidance for advancing net zero carbon buildings in line with climate targets. A foreword is written by Marc Lyon (Head of Real Estate Development Switzerland at Implenia), who is also listed as the author on the database entry.
Intended audience and purpose
The whitepaper is aimed at stakeholders across the real estate and construction value chain, including developers, builders, architects, engineers, sustainability specialists, and policymakers. Its purpose is to explain what “net zero carbon buildings” mean in practice and to outline the main planning, design, construction, and operational strategies that can reduce emissions across a building’s life cycle.
Why the building sector matters for climate targets
The paper frames decarbonisation of buildings as a priority because of the sector’s global footprint. It cites that buildings account for about 40% of global energy consumption and around 36% of greenhouse gas emissions. This scale of impact is used to justify the need for systematic approaches to reduce both energy-related emissions and emissions from building materials and construction.
Defining net zero carbon buildings
Net zero carbon buildings are described as having very low operational emissions from energy use, low embodied emissions from materials and construction, and the use of offsets for any remaining emissions. Typical characteristics highlighted include high energy efficiency, integration of renewable energy systems (notably solar photovoltaics), and a high share of low‑carbon construction materials, combined with compensation mechanisms for residual emissions that cannot be eliminated.
Embodied vs operational carbon: key data points
A central message is that a large share of emissions occurs before a building is occupied, through materials and construction. The whitepaper states that upfront embodied carbon represents roughly 70–75% of total life‑cycle emissions. It also provides a headline split that embodied carbon can account for about 74% of total life‑cycle emissions, while operational carbon accounts for around 26%. This distribution underpins the paper’s focus on materials selection and construction methods, alongside operational energy strategies.
Early-stage decisions and reduction strategies
The document emphasizes that the strongest levers for decarbonisation are available early in a project. Site selection and early design choices (such as compactness, orientation, and glazing decisions) are presented as determinants of both operational demand and embodied emissions per square metre. The paper outlines a multi‑strategy approach rather than a single “silver bullet,” combining efficient and compact design, renewable energy integration, passive design measures, low‑carbon material choices, and offsets.
Renewable energy, electricity sourcing, and passive measures
On-site renewable generation—especially photovoltaics—is identified as critical to achieving net zero operational carbon. The whitepaper notes that PV performance and self-consumption depend on factors such as orientation, tilt angle, and storage solutions. It also points to procurement of 100% renewable electricity and the role of “green leases” in securing renewable energy supply in operation. Passive strategies referenced include natural shading, ventilation, the use of thermal mass, and green roofs or façades to reduce cooling demand and help mitigate urban heat island effects.
Targets highlighted for Implenia projects
The publication includes specific targets stated for Implenia projects: achieving net zero operational carbon by 2030 for new builds and by 2050 for refurbishments, and targeting net zero embodied carbon by 2040 for new construction. The overarching message is that reaching net zero requires coordinated actions across the full building life cycle—from planning and design through construction and operation—with the greatest impact achieved when decarbonisation is embedded from the start.