Evaluating the Capacity of Building Assessment Tools to Support Net Zero and Affordability in Housing

<p dir="ltr"><i>The global housing sector is currently facing two critical and interlinked challenges: a growing affordability crisis and the urgent need to achieve net zero carbon commitments. As one of the largest contributors to energy consumption and carbon emissions, the sector is under increasing pressure to transition to net zero by 2050. Simultaneously, access to affordable and adequate housing remains persistent issue worldwide. Addressing these dual challenges requires solutions that balance environmental performance with economic accessibility.</i></p><p><br></p><p dir="ltr"><i>In this context, tools and frameworks designed to support the delivery of affordable net zero housing have become increasingly important. Among them, building assessment tools (e.g., BREEAM, LEED) play a key role by offering structured environmental performance metrics to guide the sustainable housing design and construction. However, their capacity to simultaneously promote affordability remains unclear, raising concerns about their effectiveness in advancing the transition towards affordable net-zero housing solutions.</i></p><p><br></p><p dir="ltr"><i>To address this gap, this study evaluated eight internationally recognised building assessment tools, analysing their criteria</i> <i>in relation to both environmental and affordability outcomes. The findings revealed that that while many tools emphasise environmental performance, particularly in energy efficiency and operational carbon reduction, there is limited integration of affordability related indicators such as whole life cycle cost, social equity and long-term financial resilience. Critical gaps also persist in addressing embodied carbon, passive design strategies, occupant well-being, and total cost of ownership, the factors critical for enabling affordable net-zero housing.</i></p><p><br></p><p dir="ltr"><i>The study underscores the need for next-generation assessment tools that holistically balance environmental, economic, and social dimensions to ensure that achieving net zero does not come at the expense of affordability or equity.</i></p>