CIBSE publishes TM72 guidance on health and wellbeing in net zero carbon buildings

The Chartered Institution of Building Services Engineers (CIBSE) has published TM72, new guidance on how decisions taken to cut carbon in buildings affect the health, comfort and wellbeing of occupants.

The publication, TM72 Health, wellbeing, and net-zero carbon in buildings, is intended for building services engineers, architects, designers, sustainability consultants and other built environment professionals involved in low-carbon buildings, CIBSE said on 26 October.

CIBSE said the guidance identifies where decarbonisation and health priorities can work together, while recognising potential trade-offs and unintended consequences. With the industry working towards net zero carbon, the institution said there is a growing need to ensure that measures to reduce energy consumption and embodied carbon do not compromise the quality of indoor environments.

Katie Clemence-Jackson, CEO of Net Zero Carbon Buildings Standard Limited, wrote the foreword. She said: "Our built environment's design affects every aspect of human experience, from those as fundamental as safety and belonging, to basic needs such as comfort and warmth."

What the guidance covers

According to CIBSE's product page, TM72 covers topics including indoor environmental quality, building materials, climate resilience and healthy communities. Its contents include a section on the WELL, BREEAM and LEED building certifications, and it closes with a design checklist and an operational checklist for practitioners.

A key focus, CIBSE said, is assessing buildings throughout their life rather than relying solely on design-stage predictions. The guidance considers how measured building performance and occupant feedback can show whether buildings deliver their intended outcomes and where improvements may be needed.

The publication also addresses equity, inclusion and social value, which CIBSE said reflects the fact that the impact of buildings extends beyond their environmental performance.

The principal authors are Emma Gibbons (UCL), Jiannan Luo (Foster + Partners), Anna Mavrogianni (UCL), Milena Stojkovic (AtkinsRéalis) and Marcella Ucci (UCL).

Link to the UK Net Zero Carbon Buildings Standard

CIBSE said TM72 supports professionals working towards the UK Net Zero Carbon Buildings Standard (UKNZCBS), giving additional guidance on how to consider health and wellbeing when implementing the Standard or undertaking decarbonisation projects more widely.

The Standard describes itself as a rule book rather than guidance. According to Net Zero Carbon Buildings Standard Limited, it is voluntary, focused on measured outcomes and requires independent third-party verification to demonstrate conformity.

Its Technical Steering Group was created in May 2022 with a representative from each founding organisation. A pilot version was published in September 2024, Version 1 was launched in March 2026, and verification opened in July 2026 with Bureau Veritas as Verification Administrator.

Clemence-Jackson said in her foreword: "If we get it right, we can bring down emissions, provide comfortable, flourishing spaces, and help all building users to have healthier, safer, and more productive lives."

CIBSE's wider work on health

TM72 adds to CIBSE's existing health guidance. Its TM40 covers thermal conditions, humidity, air, light, acoustics, electromagnetic fields and water; the 2020 revision of TM40 updated an original version published in 2006.

In March 2025 CIBSE announced it was a project partner in HEARTH, the £7.4m National Hub on Net Zero, Health and Extreme Heat. The institution said it would bring its expertise in building performance and climate-responsive design to the project, whose research focuses on homes, care facilities, hospitals and prisons.

TM72 Health, wellbeing, and net-zero carbon in buildings is now available through CIBSE.