'Zero Carbon' building

One where, annually, there are no net carbon emissions resulting from the operation of the building. In practice, different views are taken as to the degree of autonomy the definition of ‘Zero Carbon’ refers to. For example, the Code for Sustainable Homes requires much of the energy consumed to be generated from on-site renewable technologies, whereas other definitions would include off-site generation to various degrees and remoteness of source. No official definitions currently include the Carbon generated in the construction of a building.