In this climate-conscious world, builders and developers are expected to do their part by improving energy efficiency and reducing emissions from the structures they build. But how exactly to define the criteria to meet these goals has been a source of confusion and conflicting regulations that vary from state to state.

Now the U.S. Department of Energy has issued a draft definition for the term "Zero Emissions Buildings" (ZEB) that is intended to clarify the matter. It is inviting comment by February 5 from industry and other stakeholders through a request for information published in the Federal Register. The definition, when finalized, is intended to "serve as a clear market signal and consistent target, backed by measurable data, to help move the building sector to zero emissions."

The goal is to achieve "a standardized, verifiable basis for defining a zero emissions building," a DOE statement said. "A broadly accepted common minimum definition for a zero emissions building, as well as a pathway for verification, is foundational to efforts by public and private entities to transition the building sector to zero emissions." Users can adopt the new framework "through multiple pathways" to achieve this goal.