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Transition to a zero-carbon built environment

The goal of the BRANZ Transition to a zero-carbon built environment programme is that, by 2050, the building and construction industry is delivering net-zero carbon buildings in an affordable way.

About the programme

With a strong legacy in climate change research dating back to the early 2000s and seeing the need for change in the industry, in 2019, BRANZ launched its Transition to a zero-carbon built environment programme.

The programme sits within BRANZ’s Low-carbon research portfolio - one of seven portfolios each focused on a different priority research area within the building and construction system.

The programme is supporting an industry-led transition to a zero-carbon built environment by:

  • providing research, tools & calculators and other resources to help decarbonisation across the whole building life cycle
  • encouraging industry leadership and decision making to manage climate change mitigation.

Led by BRANZ, the programme is highly collaborative. To date, 31 research projects have been initiated - 17 at BRANZ and 14 led by external providers, including postgraduate scholars.

The flowchart above shows how the Transition to a zero-carbon built environment programme goal is underpinned by two key objectives and four themes under which projects are organised.
  • GHG-Reduction-Existing-Houses-Card

    Theme 1

    Greenhouse gas emission reduction strategies existing buildings

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  • GHG-Reduction-New-Houses-Card.jpg

    Theme 2

    Greenhouse gas emission reduction strategies new buildings

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  • Transition-Pathways-Card

    Theme 3

    Transition pathways

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  • Supporting-Stakeholders-Card

    Theme 4

    Supporting stakeholders

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Working to collaborate

We are seeking to collaborate with more people with knowledge along the building supply chain and life cycle (from design, products and construction to demolition and waste reduction) across and within research, policy and industry communities.

BRANZ would like to hear from stakeholders - including universities, industry and other research providers - around what could be done in partnership to support capability growth. This could include but should not be limited to support with joint-curriculum development or student scholarships. We would also welcome new ways to collaborate, including with industry.

Contact us

For more information or if you are interested in collaborating with us, please get in touch.

  • Casimir-Profile-Image

    Dr Casimir MacGregor

    Programme Leader

Acknowledging our current research partners

These include:

  • Concrete NZ
  • Kāinga Ora
  • Massey University
  • Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment
  • Ministry of Education
  • University of Otago
  • Scion
  • The University of Auckland.

Programme Advisory Group

Many more organisations are involved by having representation on the Programme Advisory Group.

  • Massey University
  • Victoria University of Wellington
  • University of Otago
  • Naylor Love
  • Scion
  • Kāinga Ora
  • Warren & Mahoney
  • Christchurch City Council
  • Building Better, Homes, Towns and Cities National Science Challenge

The Programme Advisory Group has two subgroups:

  • The Science Leadership subgroup provides specialist advice to the programme, supports research quality and helps to develop research capability.
  • The Industry Engagement subgroup provides guidance on industry issues, concerns and experiences, helping turn research solutions into practical action.