Standards

Zero Emissions Building (ZEB) standards include performance criteria and technical requirements that define what constitutes a zero-emissions building or district. ZEB standards are one component of regulatory frameworks that can promote or mandate reductions in operational and embodied CO2 emissions.

ZEB standards and other components of regulatory frameworks are context-specific and reflect specific priorities as well as local regulatory and environmental conditions. Standards may be initially formulated at national level, then adapted to specific provincial or local priorities and conditions.

Rapid development of building energy and emissions standards in China in recent years has included the Technical Standard for Nearly Zero Energy Buildings (GB/T 51359-2019), the Standard for Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy in Buildings (GB 55015-2021), and a new Technical Standard for Zero Carbon Buildings (2024 draft under public consultation). Rapid evolution of these standards responds to ambitious national net-zero CO2 emissions targets.

Switzerland has a long history of evolving regulation of building energy performance and CO2 emissions, including federal, cantonal and municipal regulatory instruments and a range of standards published by the Swiss Society of Engineers and Architects (SIA).

ZEB Talk /

Minergie – The Swiss Green Building Standard (CN/EN)

Video
This ZEB Talk presents Swiss MINERGIE certification and China’s near-zero energy building progress, highlighting simplicity, efficiency, and applicability.
Training /

Module 2_Swiss Legal Economic Information Instruments (CN/EN)

Presentation (slides)
Switzerland supports zero-emission buildings through cantonal laws, CO₂ levies, subsidies, tax incentives, and education programs like SwissEnergy.
Training /

Module 3_Swiss Landscape of Technical Regulations (CN/EN)

Presentation (slides)
Switzerland’s 50-year ZEB journey emphasizes lifecycle regulation, renewables, district optimization, standards, incentives, education, and lessons for China.
Technical Report /

Impact Simulation of the Chinese ZEB Standard (EN)

Document
Study shows retrofitting older low-rise buildings with electrification and PV reduces emissions, aiding China’s low-carbon transition.
Video /

Sino-Swiss ZEB Project Introduction (CN/EN)

Video
Discover how the Sino-Swiss Zero Emissions Building project is steering China’s construction sector toward a sustainable future.
Technical Report /

Swiss Experience on Technical Regulation for Energy and Emissions in the Building Sector (EN)

Document
The report details Switzerland’s building energy regulation journey, highlighting policies, standards, collaboration, enforcement, incentives, and education
Training /

The Swiss Decarbonization Roadmap for 2050 and Related Policies for the Building Sector (CN/EN)

Presentation (slides)
Switzerland’s Energy Strategy 2050 promotes building decarbonization via energy efficiency, heat pumps, district heating, and CO₂-regulated incentives.
Training /

Module 2_Swiss Legal Economic Information Instruments (CN/EN)

Video
Switzerland supports zero-emission buildings through cantonal laws, CO₂ levies, subsidies, tax incentives, and education programs like SwissEnergy.
ZEB Talk /

Minergie – The Swiss Green Building Standard (CN/EN)

Presentation (slides)
This ZEB Talk presents Swiss MINERGIE certification and China’s near-zero energy building progress, highlighting simplicity, efficiency, and applicability.