One year ago, CIBSE was appointed as the new administrator of NABERS UK, a significant development in the scheme’s journey to enhance energy efficiency in commercial buildings by verifying actual in-use energy performance. Originally launched in 2020 through a partnership between key UK industry organisations and NABERS, NABERS UK has quickly become a trusted benchmark for operational energy efficiency.
CIBSE, long recognised for its leadership in the decarbonisation of the built environment, brought a wealth of expertise in certification, technical standards and industry engagement to its new role. The scheme is administered through CIBSE Certification Ltd, a wholly owned subsidiary of CIBSE, which manages NABERS UK on its behalf.
Reflecting on the progress made over the past year, Kieran O’Brien, Director of CIBSE Certification Ltd, commented: "Over the past year, NABERS UK has significantly reshaped the conversation around building performance. We’re proud to support this transformation, giving clients the confidence and credibility they need to deliver on their net zero commitments."
Industry-leading achievements
During this first year of CIBSE's administration, the scheme reached a major milestone with the award of the first 5.5 Stars NABERS UK Energy rating. The rating was achieved by Watkins Payne’s Surrey office and certified by CIBSE Certification Ltd, showcasing the tangible benefits of operational energy improvements in the UK building sector.
This achievement was the result of a series of targeted interventions, including the implementation of high-efficiency lighting, advanced controls for heating and cooling, and enhanced natural ventilation. Importantly, Watkins Payne also invested in staff engagement, helping ensure energy efficiency practices were understood and embedded across their operations.
This pioneering project exemplifies NABERS UK’s potential to drive measurable performance improvements not just in new builds but also in existing commercial spaces. It is a clear demonstration of how collaborative efforts between building owners, operators, and occupiers can lead to exceptional outcomes.
A strong pipeline of high-performing projects
The pipeline of NABERS UK-accredited buildings continues to grow. One standout project nearing certification is Hale House, a newly opened HealthTech innovation hub in the heart of Harley Street’s health district, in London.
Developed by The Howard de Walden Estate and operated in partnership with Spacemade, Hale House reflects a bold commitment to sustainable design through adaptive reuse and carbon-conscious strategies. The building is on track to achieve a 4.5-star NABERS UK Energy rating, thanks to a major refurbishment that reduces energy use intensity from 190kWhe/m² to just 62kWhe/m².
Simon Tranter, Head of Sustainability at The Howard de Walden Estate, noted:
“Our design is rooted in the ethos of adaptive reuse, minimising waste and drastically reducing environmental impact through carbon-conscious strategies. The repurposed building will play a crucial role in driving advancements in the health-tech sector - a vital area of UK economic growth supporting research and development in the health tech sector.”
Bradley Hawkins, Projects Surveyor, added:
“As a client project manager, pursuing a NABERS UK accreditation will provide confidence in the sustainability performance we are reporting after being independently validated as part of an industry recognised benchmark.”
Collaboration for a sustainable future
As NABERS UK enters its second year under CIBSE’s administration, the scheme continues to gain momentum across the property sector. Industry leaders recognise the value of robust, evidence-based standards in enabling the UK to reach its net zero ambitions.
Rob MacWhannell, Head of Sustainability – Benchmarking & Measurement at Better Buildings Partnership (BBP), shared his reflections on the anniversary:
“It’s been a great year working with CIBSE on the next phase of the NABERS UK scheme. BBP members were instrumental in setting up the scheme and continue to derive real value from it, setting up their development/refurbishment projects for success in operation. I’m excited for the next phase of the scheme as we begin to see more in-use ratings, which represents a critical next step for the scheme and for energy performance improvement in the sector more broadly”.
CIBSE’s stewardship of NABERS UK has helped build confidence in the scheme across the industry by aligning certification standards with real-world practice. Through ongoing stakeholder engagement, technical rigour and a focus on measurable outcomes, CIBSE is ensuring that NABERS UK evolves in step with the sector’s sustainability aspirations.
The landmark 5.5-star rating and the pipeline of high-performing projects like Hale House are evidence of the scheme’s growing impact. As the industry continues to prioritise operational performance, CIBSE remains committed to supporting organisations in delivering lasting energy efficiency and measurable results.