About the Net-Zero Future Project

Net-Zero Future − An International Alliance to Minimize the Built Environment’s Carbon Footprint

The Net-Zero Future project forms an international alliance with Norway, Germany, India, South Africa, and the USA to conduct research and educational activities for net-zero buildings. This initiative aligns with sustainable development goals, such as quality education, industry and innovation, sustainable cities, climate action, and partnerships. The project directly contributes to increasing the extent and enhancing the quality and relevance of academic cooperation among five academic institutions from these countries: Oslo Metropolitan University (OsloMet–Norway), Technical University of Darmstadt (TUDa–Germany), Indian Institute of Technology Kanpur (IITK–India), University of Cape Town (UCT–South Africa), and Iowa State University (ISU–the USA). It also involves several public and industry partners who work on the development, production, and implementation of materials and technologies required for net-zero structures.

As a vital component of the Net-Zero Future project, the Net-Zero Future 2024 Conference took place in June 2024 in Oslo, Norway, marking the beginning of an annual series. This initiative will continue in the following years, providing an ongoing and unique platform for fostering direct interactions on diverse findings and advancements in net-zero structures.

The project aims to generate knowledge and inspire a new generation of engineers and researchers to reduce carbon footprints in the built environment. By promoting international collaboration, the project will advance the development of net-zero structures, which are crucial for sustainable civil infrastructures and societal ecosystems. The Net-Zero Future project will serve as a unique platform for sharing groundbreaking findings and advancements in the net-zero built environment, facilitating the exchange of innovative ideas and best practices among global experts. This initiative not only addresses current environmental challenges but also prepares future professionals to lead the way in sustainable construction and urban development.

The project introduces the first international alliance with the following main objectives:
Promote international cooperation on research and education to encourage sustainable practices in the built environment.
Generate new knowledge and inspire future professionals to reduce the carbon footprint of buildings.
Overcome barriers to the adoption of net-zero materials and technologies through collaboration with the public and private sectors.
Key activities of the project include organizing a series of annual international conferences and summer schools, offering an open-access Ph.D. course in net-zero construction, and enabling dynamic research and educational exchange visits among partner institutions.

Partners

The Net-Zero Future project is directly contributing to increasing the extent and enhancing the quality and relevance of academic cooperation among five academic institutions from five countries: the University of Cape Town (UCT–South Africa), Oslo Metropolitan University (OsloMet–Norway), Technical University of Darmstadt (TUDa–Germany), Indian Institute of Technology Kanpur (IITK–India), and Iowa State University (ISU–the USA).

Oslo Metropolitan University

Norway

Oslo Metropolitan University (OsloMet) is a state university in Oslo, Norway. It is Norway’s third-largest university. The institution aims to be a top source of research-based knowledge for welfare states domestically and internationally. OsloMet provides diverse career-oriented study programs and conducts high-impact research in close partnership with the private and public sectors.

Leader: Professor Mahdi Kioumarsi

University of Cape Town

South Africa

The University of Cape Town is a public research university in Cape Town, South Africa. Established in 1829 as the South African College, it was granted full university status in 1918, making it the oldest university in South Africa and the oldest university in Sub-Saharan Africa in continuous operation.

Leader: Professor Hans Beushausen

Iowa State University

The USA

Iowa State University (ISU), founded in 1858, is a public research university in Ames, Iowa, USA. It is the largest university in Iowa by undergraduate enrollment and home to the Ames Laboratory, one of ten national U.S. Department of Energy laboratories. ISU offers career-focused programs and conducts high-impact research in collaboration with industry, government, and communities.

Leader: Associate Professor Behrouz Shafei

Technical University of Darmstadt

Germany

The Technische Universität Darmstadt, commonly known as TU Darmstadt, is a research university in Darmstadt, Germany. It was founded in 1877 and received the right to award doctorates in 1899. In 1882, it was the first university in the world to set up a chair in electrical engineering.

Leader: Professor E.A.B. Koenders

Indian Institute of Technology Kanpur

India

Indian Institute of Technology Kanpur is a public institute of technology located in Kanpur, Uttar Pradesh, India. It was declared an Institute of National Importance by the Government of India under the Institutes of Technology Act. IIT Kanpur is ranked among the most prestigious academic institutions in India.

Leader: Professor Samit Ray Chaudhuri

NZF-PROJECT