Introduction/Fees – Above Green

The ILFI Zero Carbon Certification is the first worldwide Zero Carbon third-party certified standard. This program recognizes the growing interest and focus on a broad-based tool for highlighting highly energy efficient buildings which are designed and operated to fully account for their carbon emissions impacts.

The ILFI Zero Carbon Standard is as follows:

ONE HUNDRED PERCENT OF THE OPERATIONAL ENERGY USE ASSOCIATED WITH THE PROJECT MUST BE OFFSET BY NEW ON- OR OFF-SITE RENEWABLE ENERGY. ONE HUNDRED PERCENT OF THE EMBODIED CARBON EMISSIONS IMPACTS ASSOCIATED WITH THE CONSTRUCTION AND MATERIALS OF THE PROJECT MUST BE DISCLOSED AND OFFSET.

During a one-year performance period, buildings must achieve a targeted energy efficiency level. New projects may not utilize on-site combustion. One hundred percent of the project’s energy use must be offset by on- or off-site renewable energy on a net annual basis. The project must provide offsetting renewables which have the equivalent of 15 years of project power, provide additionality, and have durable ownership integrity associated with the project.

The project must also account for the total embodied carbon impact from any new construction and materials through a one-time carbon offset from an approved source. New projects¹ must also demonstrate a 10% reduction in the embodied carbon of the primary materials of the foundation, structure, and enclosure compared to an equivalent baseline.

HOW THE CERTIFICATION PROCESS WORKS

1. REGISTRATION

Registering your project signals your intent to build and certify your project as Zero Carbon. Projects are encouraged to register as early in the development/occupancy process as possible. When you register your building, you’ll gain access to a variety of support resources, along with the opportunity to connect with industry leaders from around the world. Registering your project requires ILFI Premium Membership ($150), as well as a $250 registration fee.

The following is included in your registration:

Access to the Living Building Challenge Community Dialogue, the official venue to request feedback on proposed strategies for meeting certification requirements
Access to the Living Future Network, a global community of industry leaders
Recognition as a Living Building Challenge or Zero Carbon Building registered project

Here’s how to register your project:

Process your Premium Membership with ILFI
Log into the Living Future Community and scroll down to the ‘Register’ section, then select ‘New Zero Carbon Project’
Schedule a kick-off call with your project team and ILFI’s energy program staff to discuss best practices for certification at zc.support@living-future.org

2. DOCUMENTATION

Once registered, a project team can begin organizing and submitting documentation on the ILFI online platform. Once you have twelve consecutive months of performance data demonstrating your project achieves net zero carbon, you are eligible to complete the submission of your project for audit and certification.

At the time of submittal for certification, prior to the commencement of the audit, certification fees are also paid.

ZERO CARBON CERTIFICATION FEES

SINGLE FAMILY RESIDENCE - ZERO CARBON CERTIFICATION FEES

Zero Carbon (single)	Zero Carbon Ready	Zero Carbon Final
$2,300	$1,700	$1,300

LANDSCAPE + INFRASTRUCTURE - ZERO CARBON CERTIFICATION FEES

Project Area (SF / SM)	Zero Carbon (single)	Zero Carbon Ready	Zero Carbon Final
0 - 5,380 SF / 0 - 500 SM	$3,300	$2,700	$2,000
5,380 - 10,764 SF / 500 - 1,000 SM	$3,300	$2,700	$2,000
10,764 - 53,819 SF / 1,000 - 5,000 SM	$3,300	$2,700	$2,000
53,819 - 107,639 SF / 5,000 - 10,000 SM	$4,700	$3,800	$2,800
107,639 - 538,194 SF / 10,000 - 50,000 SM	$5,700	$4,600	$3,400
538,194+ SF / 50,000+ SM	$6,700	$5,400	$4,000

ALL OTHER PROJECT TYPES - ZERO CARBON CERTIFICATION FEES

Gross Building Area (SF / SM)	Zero Carbon (single)	Zero Carbon Ready	Zero Carbon Final
0 - 5,380 SF / 0 - 500 SM	$3,300	$2,700	$2,000
5,380 - 10,764 SF / 500 - 1,000 SM	$3,300	$2,700	$2,000
10,764 - 53,819 SF / 1,000 - 5,000 SM	$3,300	$2,700	$2,000
53,819 - 107,639 SF / 5,000 - 10,000 SM	$4,700	$3,800	$2,800
107,639 - 538,194 SF / 10,000 - 50,000 SM	$5,700	$4,600	$3,400
538,194+ SF / 50,000+ SM	$6,700	$5,400	$4,000

3. AUDIT

Once your documentation is uploaded, Living Building Challenge Certification Staff will review it to ensure that it is complete, before passing it off to an independent third-party auditor for review.

4. CERTIFICATION

If the auditor determines the project performs at zero carbon and meets ILFI requirements, it will be certified. A beautiful offset print certification document or a stainless glass plaque are also available for purchase.