carbon neutrality
A building whose net carbon emissions from energy use are zero or less, with fossil-energy emissions offset by clean-energy surplus.
A building is listed as carbon neutral when its net carbon emissions through energy use are zero or below. This generally requires that the building produce its own power through clean methods such as solar or wind harnessing.
If the building uses energy from fossil fuels, it must produce a surplus of clean energy equal or greater to the energy of the fossil fuel it consumes, and then distribute the surplus energy to places where it will offset an equivalent amount of carbon emissions.
The measure concerns net carbon emissions through energy use, rather than energy quantity alone. When fossil energy is used, the stated clean-energy surplus must also offset an equivalent amount of carbon emissions elsewhere.
Related definitions
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bioreactor
Panels or containers holding a biologically active environment for energy production or carbon dioxide reduction. -
double glazing
At least 80 percent of exterior-facing windows have two or more glass layers, including triple glazing. -
electric car charger
A station where drivers can recharge the batteries of electricity-powered automobiles. -
green roof
An extensive area of live planting covering most of a building's roof plane as an environmental feature. -
green wall
A building or structure facade designed to accommodate substantial living plant growth. -
heat recovery ventilation
A system which saves energy by using a counter-flow heat exchanger at the point of ventilation. -
lighting control system
An automatic system which optimizes lighting usage throughout a building or structure. -
photovoltaic panels
Panels installed on or by a structure which harness solar power and convert it to electricity. -
rainwater recycling
A system collecting rainwater from a structure or its grounds and routing it for use within the building. -
solar water heating
A system using solar radiation directly to heat water, usually with supplemental conventional water heating. -
sunshading
Projecting features in a facade which reduce the amount of sunlight entering windows. -
wind turbines
Energy-producing devices affixed to a structure or its grounds, which convert wind energy into power.