A Zero Carbon Action Plan (ZCAP) sets out how and when a building will stop using fossil fuels in operation. Under Green Star Buildings v1 it forms part of the Energy Source Minimum Expectation. We prepare ZCAPs for Green Star projects in Melbourne, Victoria and across Australia.
Request a Fee Proposal →Send us your Green Star registration details and services strategy. We'll confirm whether a ZCAP applies, plus scope and fee, before you commit.
Most Green Star projects aim for all-electric operation, but many still keep gas for hot water, kitchens, backup or a tenant's process load. The Zero Carbon Action Plan is where those exceptions are named, given an end date and tied to a practical replacement pathway, so the rating reflects how the building will actually run.
Restaurants, laboratories and specialist tenants often bring gas back into an all-electric building. A ZCAP plans for tenant and future-occupant loads, not just the base build.
Relying on a future fuel supply isn't a pathway on its own. A credible ZCAP sets out the physical changes, such as heat pumps, electric cooking and switchboard capacity, that make fossil-fuel-free operation possible.
A ZCAP only works if the people running the building use it. We write it to sit with the building's operational documents, with dates and actions a facilities team can follow.
A Zero Carbon Action Plan (ZCAP) is a Green Star document that shows how a building will eliminate fossil-fuel use in its operation, and by when. In Green Star Buildings v1, it is part of the Energy Source credit's Minimum Expectation. GBCA guidance confirms that all-electric buildings achieving Energy Source Exceptional Performance, with no fossil-fuel cogeneration or trigeneration, meet the requirement automatically.
Green Star Buildings v1.1, which all new projects must register under from 1 May 2026, makes all-electric a Minimum Expectation for every rating. A ZCAP remains relevant for v1-registered projects that retain fossil-fuel equipment. Under Green Star Communities v2, the Climate Positive Pathway also asks for a ZCAP covering existing buildings and infrastructure.
The best time to prepare a ZCAP is during design development, while plant space, electrical capacity and tenancy requirements can still change. Writing it after services design is locked usually means the plan documents a problem rather than solving it.
The Green Star document setting out how and when the building will operate without fossil fuels, with the actions, responsibilities and timing to get there.
A review of every fossil-fuel load in the design (hot water, heating, cooking, backup and process loads) and the practical electric alternative for each.
A Zero Carbon Action Plan from Makao identifies every fossil-fuel load, the replacement technology, the trigger for replacement and the date. It is written to meet the Green Star requirement and to be usable by the owner and facilities team after practical completion.
Every on-site fossil-fuel use identified by system, including base building, tenancy, backup and process loads.
The electric or zero-carbon alternative for each load, with the infrastructure needed, such as switchboard capacity, plant space and risers.
A target date for fossil-fuel-free operation, with replacement triggers aligned to equipment end-of-life and lease events.
Submission-ready documentation for the relevant Green Star credit, with clear references for the assessor.
A ZCAP is usually triggered by the Green Star rating, but the questions behind it come from the services design. These are the situations we see most often.
Retained gas — the most common trigger. We map the gas loads, test the electric alternatives and prepare a ZCAP that sets a credible date and pathway to remove them.
Tenancy loads — a ZCAP can plan for tenant and future-occupant infrastructure, including electric cooking capacity and lease provisions, so the base building isn't locked into gas.
Climate Positive Pathway — 5 and 6 Star projects registered under v1 before 30 April 2026 follow the 2023 Climate Positive Pathway. We confirm which energy requirements apply and how the ZCAP fits.
Applicability check — all-electric buildings achieving Energy Source Exceptional Performance comply automatically. We check your registration version and services design and tell you whether a ZCAP is needed.
Backup and emergency plant — standby generation is often overlooked. We assess it and document the treatment in the plan.
Communities v2 — the Climate Positive Pathway asks for a ZCAP covering existing buildings and infrastructure in the precinct. We prepare it at precinct scale.
Plant space conflicts — electrification needs space and electrical capacity. We work with the services engineer to find a practical arrangement while the design can still change.
“We want the ZCAP to line up with our upfront carbon work.”
Whole-of-life carbon — we prepare the ZCAP alongside the Upfront Carbon Report, so operational and embodied carbon decisions are made together.
Green Star registration details, target rating, architectural drawings and the current services strategy. We confirm scope and fee before you commit.
Every fossil-fuel use is identified, including base building, tenancy, backup and process loads, and checked against the Green Star requirements.
Replacement technologies, infrastructure needs and target dates are set with the design team and owner.
A Zero Carbon Action Plan for the owner's sign-off and Green Star submission, written to sit with the building's operational documents.
A Zero Carbon Action Plan (ZCAP) is a Green Star document that sets out how and when a building will stop using fossil fuels in its operation. Under Green Star Buildings v1 it forms part of the Energy Source credit's Minimum Expectation.
No. GBCA guidance confirms that all-electric buildings achieving Energy Source Exceptional Performance, with no fossil-fuel cogeneration or trigeneration, meet the requirement automatically. A ZCAP is needed where fossil-fuel use remains in the design.
Green Star Buildings v1.1 makes all-electric a Minimum Expectation for every rating. All new projects must register under v1.1 from 1 May 2026. Projects registered under v1 continue under v1 rules, where the ZCAP sits within the Energy Source credit.
The Climate Positive Pathway sets energy and carbon requirements that tighten over time. Green Star Buildings v1 projects targeting 5 or 6 Star and registered before 30 April 2026 follow the 2023 pathway, and v1 projects reaching practical completion after 1 January 2030 must meet the 2030 pathway. The ZCAP documents how the building gets to fossil-fuel-free operation.
A credible ZCAP shouldn't rely on a future fuel supply alone. It should identify the physical changes, such as heat pumps, electric cooking and electrical capacity, that allow the building to operate without fossil fuels.
During design development, while plant space, electrical capacity and tenancy provisions can still change. Preparing it once services design is locked usually limits the options.
Your Green Star registration details and target rating, architectural drawings, the services strategy or mechanical and hydraulic design, and any tenancy requirements known so far.
Advice aligned to the current GBCA rating tool, including the changes introduced in Green Star Buildings v1.1.
ZCAPs prepared alongside upfront carbon reporting, so energy and materials decisions don't work against each other.
Engaged while plant space, electrical capacity and tenancy provisions can still change.
The same team prepares Section J and J1V3 energy modelling, so the ZCAP matches the energy strategy.
Clear actions, dates and triggers a facilities team can follow after handover.
Local knowledge of Victorian projects, design teams and the Green Star assessment process.
