What does climate neutrality by 2050 actually mean for buildings? Since
mid-March 2026, there has been a definitive answer: Minergie has
introduced a measurable, certifiable standard for net-zero buildings
that accounts for the entire life cycle.
Minergie Net Zero is based on a three-stage model:
- Avoidance: Greenhouse gas emissions are reduced as far as possible during construction and operation. For new buildings, a Minergie-P-ECO or Minergie-A-ECO standard serves as the basis.
- Storage: Carbon sequestered in the building, for example in timber, straw or enriched concrete, is deducted from the greenhouse gas balance.
- Offsetting: The remaining emissions are offset using verified negative emission certificates. The carbon-neutral balance then applies for 60 years of operation.
For the first time, the embodied carbon footprint of building materials is also systematically taken into account. This approach therefore goes significantly beyond the legal requirements set to come into force in the coming years.
For architects, taking emissions into account at an early stage is becoming a key factor in project success. The choice of building materials affects not only the environmental footprint but also economic viability.
👉 And this is precisely where our
low-carbon aluminium alloys come into play: they make a measurable contribution to optimising a building’s environmental footprint and help to specifically reduce the costs of carbon offsetting. Thanks to the high proportion of process and recycled scrap, or the use of primary aluminium with a reduced carbon footprint, they support an economically and environmentally optimised material strategy.
Benefit: They improve the carbon footprint right from the planning stage and lay a solid foundation for net-zero certifications.
Credit: Fenlife ® 
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