The report ‘Global Practices of Net Zero Carbon Building Design and Construction’ provides a comparative overview of practices related to net-zero carbon buildings in Australia, New Zealand, Italy, South Africa, Sri Lanka, and Hong Kong, complemented by a review of the UK context. Based on an international survey promoted by CIB Task Group 124, the study explores low-carbon technologies, emissions estimation tools, and the main factors that facilitate or hinder their implementation.

The findings reveal a clear trend towards the adoption of passive strategies, energy-efficient systems, and renewable energy. Solar shading, thermal insulation, upgrades to HVAC systems, and the use of photovoltaics stand out consistently across most countries, with variations linked to climatic conditions and national regulatory frameworks. There is also growing interest in prefabricated systems and recycled or bio-based materials, although advanced technologies continue to have limited penetration.

In contrast, carbon estimation — particularly embodied carbon — shows low levels of application in all the contexts analysed. The lack of local data, specialised expertise, and tools tailored to each country emerges as a recurring obstacle. These challenges are compounded by shared structural barriers, including the prioritisation of cost savings over environmental impacts and the insufficiency of financial incentives and clear regulatory frameworks. The study suggests that the transition towards a decarbonised built environment requires not only technological innovation, but also regulatory coherence, professional training, and economic models capable of making large-scale change viable.