Climate Neutrality in Construction: New Regulations and Standards

TL;DR

Climate regulation is getting real. The new SIA 390/1 standard sets pioneering benchmarks for greater transparency, optimally preparing Swiss buildings for net zero. The specific requirements for GHG accounting add more accountability and encourage the actual reduction of emissions.

Life Cycle Assessments (LCA) are becoming even more critical: property owners, developers, and planners must incorporate GHG optimization early on. What used to be a "can-do" is increasingly a "must-do" — CO2 is becoming a currency, as business-critical as CHF.

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Regulatory Trends: From 390/1 and MuKEn to CSRD

Legal requirements for sustainable construction are getting stricter. Sustainability is no longer optional; it’s essential.

The Climate and Innovation Act (KIG) of 2023 sets the goal of making the Swiss building stock climate neutral by 2050. The focus is on reducing operational energy through technologies like heat pumps and low-carbon building materials. Simultaneously, the law promotes innovative CO2 storage solutions, such as carbon-absorbing building materials.

To achieve this goal, efforts are strengthened by new regulations and standards like MuKEn, SIA 390/1, and the EU CSRD. These create clear frameworks for emission reduction and promote transparency in the construction sector. Let’s break them down.

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MuKEn: New Benchmarks for Grey Energy

In November 2024, the Swiss federal government decided that cantons must set limits for embodied carbon in buildings - a crucial step towards reducing overall CO2 emissions in construction. The current draft, set for a 2025 vote, outlines limits of 13 kg CO2-eq/m² for single-family homes and 12 kg CO2-eq/m² for multi-family homes. Basel-Stadt is even considering coupling these limits with a steering levy, making high-emission new builds more expensive and discouraging demolition projects.

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SIA 390/1: A New Standard for Net Zero

Since February 2024, SIA 390/1 has replaced the previous SIA 2040, setting new CO2 limits. While not legally binding, it provides a methodology to prepare for upcoming regulations. The added requirements help balance construction, operation, and mobility emissions.

Key updates:

• Focus on GHG emissions: Renewable primary energy is now only considered informationally.
• Two target values:
  - Target A: Ambitious net-zero target in line with KIG.
  - Target B: Maximum allowable CO2 emissions for construction, operation, and mobility.‍
• Clear definition of net zero: Buildings must minimize emissions across their entire lifecycle and offset any unavoidable residual emissions through approved negative emissions.‍
• Exclusion of negative emissions: For compliance with target values, negative emissions can no longer be counted, prioritizing real emission reductions over compensation.‍
• Reuse of building components: Reused components can be credited with lower emissions. Early project stages can apply a flat 20% GHG reduction if component reuse is planned, promoting circular construction practices.‍
• Solar power accounting: Solar power can only count towards the CO2 balance if consumed on-site. Selling certificates of origin excludes emission crediting.‍
• Reduction pathways: The standard sets clear reduction paths to quickly lower construction and operational emissions to climate-compatible levels, with regular tightening of values to ensure progress toward net zero.

EU Influence: Stricter Reporting Requirements

The EU Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD) tightens sustainability reporting for companies, requiring extensive disclosure of ESG data, including Scope 3 emissions, which make up a significant portion of emissions for construction and real estate companies.

Although Switzerland isn’t an EU member, the Swiss Federal Council plans to implement similar regulations. In June 2024, a consultation was launched, aligning with CSRD criteria. Companies with at least 250 employees, a balance sheet of CHF 25 million, or revenue of CHF 50 million will soon be required to report on climate risks and mitigation measures.

These strengthened reporting obligations aim to increase transparency and drive companies to reduce emissions, making a substantial contribution to Switzerland’s climate targets.

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At vyzn, we welcome this shift in the right direction. Our optimization software is ready to help you future-proof your projects - sustainable and economically viable, even under tightening regulations.