3 April 2024, London – NABERS has today announced that the Chartered Institution of Building Services Engineers (CIBSE) has been appointed as the new NABERS UK scheme administrator.
CIBSE Chief Executive, Ruth Carter says "We are delighted that CIBSE is now overseeing the administration of NABERS UK. This strategic move aligns with our commitment to advancing energy efficiency in the built environment. NABERS UK plays a crucial role in bridging the performance gap and enhancing transparency. We are excited to contribute to the continued success and impact of NABERS UK."
CIBSE is one of the most influential professional bodies in the UK building sector, with a rich history of leadership in energy efficiency and decarbonisation. The organisation brings a wealth of organisational experience in certification, professional training, standards development and industry engagement, providing a powerful foundation for the role of NABERS UK scheme administrator. CIBSE has supported the Scheme throughout its development and is one of the founding members of the NABERS UK Steering Committee. CIBSE will be taking over the scheme administration from BRE with both organisations working closely together to enable a smooth transition and support the next phase of growth for the Scheme.
"We are thrilled to announce CIBSE as the new NABERS UK Scheme Administrator. CIBSE has an illustrious history of leadership in building sustainability and decarbonisation, and an unmatched track record in certification and the development of technical standards. Buildings in the UK can and should lead the world in tackling the climate crisis, and we are excited about the role NABERS UK can play with an organisation of CIBSE’s calibre at the helm.
NABERS Director, Carlos Flores
NABERS UK is a leading building energy efficiency and decarbonisation initiative that was launched in the UK in 2020 following an international partnership between major UK industry organisations, led by the Better Buildings Partnership in the UK, and NABERS in Australia. NABERS drives improvements in energy efficiency in commercial buildings through the measurement and verification of actual in-use energy performance, which also provides critical assurance and integrity for building owners and their stakeholders.
The UK scheme has had strong industry backing since its launch and has gained significant momentum, with nearly 150 new and refurbished office buildings setting NABERS UK Design for Performance targets, representing a significant portion of UK office developments. Following the collection of 12 months of operational energy data, existing buildings are also beginning to pioneer the verification of performance in-use through NABERS UK Energy for Offices.
CEO of the Better Buildings Partnership, Sarah Ratcliffe says, "It is fantastic news to see CIBSE appointed as the new Scheme Administrator for NABERS UK. As the sector seeks to accelerate action to improve energy efficiency and decarbonise commercial buildings, bridging the performance gap and verifying energy performance in-use could not be more important. We look forward to working alongside other members of the Steering Committee to support CIBSE as they seek to capitalise on the Scheme’s success.”
Further details concerning the practical transition to CIBSE as the new scheme administrator will be communicated over the coming weeks, and NABERS UK participants and broader building sustainability practitioners will be invited to attend a public launch event on the 30th April 2024.
Registration for this event can be completed here.
About NABERS UK
The NABERS UK scheme was developed through the industry backed and funded Design for Performance initiative. Convened by the Better Buildings Partnership, this resulted in the launch of NABERS UK in November 2020.
The NABERS UK Steering Committee Members are: CIBSE, NABERS, Better Buildings Partnership, British Council for Offices (BCO); British Property Federation (BPF); BSRIA; IWFM; RIBA; RICS; UKGBC.
NABERS UK Supporters are Atelier ten; AECOM; Arup; ATKINS; Built Physics Limited; Bryden Wood; Buro Happold; chapmanbdsp; Cundall; EVORA EDGE; Greengage; Hilson Moran; Hoare Lea; Inkling; KJ Tait Engineers; Mecserve; TFT; Thornton Reynolds; Twin and Earth; Watkins Payne Partnership; WSP Global.
NABERS UK is integrated into industry standards and guidance including the BCO Guide to Specification, the RIBA Plan of Works, UKGB Energy Performance Targets for Offices, LETI Energy Use Intensity Target, BSRIA Soft Landings and CIBSE’s TM54. NABERS is also utilised by the GLA in its ‘be seen’ energy policy guidance.
NABERS UK was developed based on the wide success of the scheme in Australia, where 90% of office space has been certified under NABERS, reducing energy use by over 40% across the sector. The Scheme has gathered significant momentum since its launch in the UK, with the support of many commercial property owners, major industry bodies and the broader industry of building sustainability professionals.
About the Chartered Institute of Building Services Engineers (CIBSE)
The leading authority on building services engineering and a pioneer in responding to the threat of climate change, CIBSE exists to advance global best practice in the profession.
Through harnessing the expertise of their members, CIBSE represents the profession as a trusted voice to provide advice and guidance to Government on matters relating to construction, engineering and sustainability.
For over 125 years, CIBSE has supported a community of over 20,000 professionals worldwide in their pursuit of excellence in building performance, sustainability and safety to influence the well-being of individuals and communities of today and of future generations. CIBSE members continue to create the most environmentally friendly systems in major projects across the globe.
CIBSE Group offers training and certification services for built environment professionals, and in 2006 set up the Low Carbon Consultants Register to ensure that a body of competent and trained professionals was available to implement the requirements of building sustainability regulations. CIBSE accredits Low Carbon Energy Assessors, who can administer Energy Performance Certificates (EPCs) and Display Energy Certificates (DECs).
CIBSE has been one of eleven members of the NABERS UK Steering Committee since 2021.
About NABERS
NABERS is a scheme founded in Australia 25 years ago, developed and administered by the New South Wales Government. Over that time, NABERS has become one of the most successful initiatives at helping reduce energy use and carbon emissions in non-residential buildings globally. NABERS has played a key role in helping the Office sector in Australia to reduce energy use by over 40% since 2010, a rate of improvement believed to be the fastest globally.
In Australia NABERS has been expanded to cover a wide range of sectors of the built environment, including hotels, shopping centres, schools, data centres, apartment buildings, hospitals, warehouses and cold stores and more. The types of ratings also extend beyond energy and cover water, waste, indoor environmental quality and carbon neutrality.
NABERS provides certified star ratings from one to six stars, allowing a buildings’ energy efficiency to be compared to others using actual energy consumption.
For all enquiries, please contact pr@cibse.org or nabers@environment.nsw.gov.au