Zero Energy Buildings
A zero-energy building, also known as a zero net energy (ZNE) building, net-zero energy building (NZEB), or net zero building, is a building with zero net energy consumption, meaning the total amount of energy used by the building on an annual basis is roughly equal to the amount of renewable energy created on the site, or in other definitions by renewable energy sources elsewhere. At the USGBC MA we support this level of performance in design and are working hard to prove its cost-effectiveness, health benefit, and operational performance.
We support the Net-Zero movement from two directions, policy and practice. Our policy work supported the net-zero policy frameworks in the City of Cambridge, Lexington, and other leading municipalities. We are a resource to municipalities and often provide coaching on how to move through the process. Learn more about our advocacy work here.
Our practice work is the essence of the work of our community. Our technical sessions on energy and water design, energy production and materials selection all support this net-zero narrative. Join us for our wide variety of programming each month which covers the standard and design specification which support net-zero outcomes. Our immediate goal is to offer the market an up-to-date cost-benefit study of net-zero construction in the Commonwealth to inform developers and policymakers. Look at our news page for updates on this study.
Current Initiatives
Get Involved
“The R.W. Kern Center is the 17th certified Living Building in the world, an embodiment of Hampshire’s values in practice and ideas in action… it generates its own electricity, collects and treats its own water, and is built with local, non-toxic, and low-carbon materials.”
PE | Associate, LeMessurier
Vice President, AEW’s Architecture & Engineering group
Interior Designer, Jacobs, Boston
Senior Vice President, Market Transformation and Development U.S. Green Building Council
AIA LEED AP BD+C | Senior Associate, Gensler Boston 
LEED Fellow, WELL AP | Founder and Principal, Ecoworks Studio
LEED AP BD+C | Environmental Sustainability Manager, Armstrong World Industries
Sustainability Director, Steven Winter Associates
Assistant Professor of Exposure Science | Director of the Healthy Buildings program
Managing Director, Harvard University Office for Sustainability
Principal & Director of Certifications and Consulting, Epsten Group, Inc.
Vice President of Sustainability and Corporate Social Responsibility, Jamestown
Founder and Principal, Linnean Solutions | LEED AP, O+M; EcoDistrict AP
Associate Principal, BuroHappold Engineering
Senior Vice President, Sustainability at Kilroy Realty Corporation
Co-Founder, Facilitator at The Laurentia Project | LEED AP BD+C, LFA
Founder and President, Board of the Healthy Building Network
Building Technology Director, Kingspan North America
LEED® AP ID+C, BD+C, USGBC Faculty, WELL® AP, WELL Faculty and Fitwel Ambassador
Workplace Strategy Expert and Researcher, EYP
Principal, Integrated Ecostrategy
Senior Vice President, International WELL Building Institute
AIA, LEED AP BD+C, WELL AP
Principal, Bruner/Cott
Architect, Associate, and Sustainability Design Leader, Stantec Architecture and Engineering
FAIA, LEED Fellow, Long Green Specs
Products & Materials Specialist, BuildingGreen
Director of Acquisitions and Development
Director of Restorative Enterprise, Interface
Vice President of Sustainable Development, Shaw
Sustainability Manager, Consigli Construction Company
Global Head of Sustainability, Superior Essex