Zero carbon buildings

The UK Government defined the zero carbon homes standard as homes that should be built with high levels of energy efficiency and achieve at least a minimum level of carbon reductions through a combination of energy efficiency, on-site energy supply and/or (where relevant) directly connected low carbon or renewable heat ? and choose from a range of (mainly off-site) solutions for tackling the remaining emissions. The European Commission in their recast of the Energy Performance of Buildings Directive defined ?net zero energy building? as meaning a building where, as a result of the very high level of energy efficiency of the building, the overall annual primary energy consumption is equal to or less than the energy production from renewable energy sources on site.