On June 6, the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) released a National Definition of a Zero Emissions Building. According to this definition, to qualify as a zero-emissions building, or “ZEB,” a structure must achieve zero operational emissions from energy use in accordance with the following criteria:

1. Energy efficiency. The building is among the most efficient.
2. Free of on-site emissions from energy use. The building’s direct greenhouse gas emissions from energy use equal zero.
3. Powered solely by clean energy. All the energy used by the building, both on-site and off-site, is from clean energy sources.

DOE and the White House held several listening sessions with the public before issuing the ZEB definition, which DOE states is not meant as a regulatory standard or certification. Instead, DOE characterized the definition as guidance that public and private entities may adopt to determine whether a building has zero emissions from operational energy use. It applies to existing buildings and new construction of commercial and residential structures. Operational emissions are based on the whole building’s energy use, including emissions from tenants. Carbon offsets are not permitted under the DOE’s ZEB definition.