Opinion piece by Kieran O’Brien – Director of CIBSE Certification ltd

CIBSE has recently been appointed as the new scheme administrator for NABERS UK, and this is widely viewed as an essential and welcome step in both the re-energization of the NABERS scheme and driving UK efforts in reducing waste in operational energy within the built environment. 

Climate change presents well-known challenges with significant consequences for the planet, with buildings contributing substantially to global energy consumption and emissions. In the UK, the built environment accounts for a quarter of greenhouse gas emissions, yet several energy performance rating systems prioritise sustainability and embodied carbon in building construction, but they are frequently criticised for neglecting the “performance gap” and the energy wasted annually due to buildings being used in ways that deviate from their original design intent. According to a recent report by the think-tank Green Alliance, the energy squandered annually by several thousand office buildings in five UK cities amounts to £60 million in unnecessary energy expenses for businesses.

NABERS serves as a solution to address the performance gap by facilitating the design for intended use and assessing actual energy performance in commercial buildings, providing essential assurance for stakeholders. In Australia, where NABERS Energy was implemented over 14 years, offices saw significant energy savings averaging 42% and a 53% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions intensity. The initiative was championed in the UK by the Better Buildings Partnership, uniting major industry organisations to promote energy efficiency and sustainability in commercial buildings, laying the foundation for NABERS UK’s success since 2021.

NABERS UK embodies a collaborative approach by engaging industry stakeholders to pioneer innovative strategies for energy efficiency and decarbonisation. Through collaboration and knowledge sharing, participants in NABERS UK contribute to elevating industry standards and driving continuous improvement in building performance. Additionally, it establishes rigorous criteria for building design, performance measurement, and verification to ensure high standards of energy efficiency. Despite challenges such as the withdrawal of the previous scheme administrator in 2023 and subsequent delays in appointing a new administrator, the past achievements and future potential of NABERS UK remain significant.

 CIBSE is uniquely positioned, drawing upon its extensive network of professionals, partnerships and collaborative experiences within the sector, to advance the NABERS UK scheme. With a history of leadership in energy efficiency and standards development, CIBSE remains steadfast in its commitment to promoting excellence and quality in the built environment.

 Embracing sustainability as a shared responsibility, CIBSE aligns with the principles of the NABERS UK partnership, rooted in values of collaboration and knowledge-sharing to drive positive change.

 As the new administrator of NABERS UK, CIBSE aims to leverage its collaborative approach to drive energy efficiency and decarbonisation in the UK building sector. CIBSE’s involvement in initiatives like the Net Zero Carbon Building Standard underscores its commitment to advancing best practices and standards in building services engineering.

 Backed by its expertise in certification of persons and systems, CIBSE is poised to revitalise and propel the NABERS UK scheme forward, anticipating significant benefits for the built environment and future generations.

 In conclusion, CIBSE’s designation reaffirms its commitment to advancing excellence in building performance and sustainability, showcasing its leadership role in spearheading industry trends and initiatives towards a more sustainable and resilient built environment. More information about NABERS UK can be found at NABERS UK (cibse.org)