Launched under the UN Secretary General’s Zero Carbon for All Initiative and backed by the UK Government, the certification recognizes homes that achieve a 100% reduction in operational emissions using low-carbon technologies such as air source heat pumps and sourcing power from renewable energy.

The EDGE Zero Carbon certification has only been awarded to three other developments in the world, all of which were office buildings overseas.

The news follows last year’s announcement that Etopia Group, Etopia Homes’ parent company, had become the first housebuilder in the world to achieve the Carbon Neutral International Standard and to join the United National Climate Neutral Now Initiative.

As a signatory of the UN Climate Neutral Now initiative, Etopia Group has calculated and disclosed the current carbon footprint of the company, including international air travel, and shows a clear pathway to reducing it year on year.

The EDGE certification process is taking place at Etopia Homes’ development in Wilburton, Cambridgeshire. Branded Juniper Place, the scheme is delivering 30 ‘zero-carbon’ homes on the site in Cambridge, 21 of which will be for private sale and 9 for affordable.