LEBR Low Embodied-carbon Building Rating

Embodied carbon, counted before the design is fixed

Taiwan's low-carbon building label (LEBR) measures a building's embodied carbon from material production to demolition. It is being phased in for public buildings from July 2027 and is already required by Taipei EIA reviews and New Taipei urban renewal. GreenJump steps in during design, turns structural, facade and partition options into ratings, and plans them together with the green building label and the building energy label.

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2024 July Ministry of the Interior launches the low-carbon building label

4 Level 4 or better counts as a low-carbon building

5 Labels planned together for Kaohsiung R17 A5: LEBR, EEWH, BERS, LEED, WELL

2,479,339 m² Floor area served for the EEWH label

01 Why now

Why plan for LEBR now

The carbon reduction rate depends mostly on the structural system and construction type, which are hard to change once massing is fixed. And the places that require it grow every year.

2027 July

Phased in for public buildings

New public buildings with a total construction budget of NT$50 million or more, starting with offices, must apply for it together with the green building label and energy rating; level 2 or better through 2029, and level 1 or better from 2030.

Guidelines for whole-life energy and carbon reduction in public building works

4 level

Taipei EIA threshold

Since November 13, 2024, new buildings in Taipei EIA cases must obtain the low-carbon building label at level 4 or better within two years of the use permit; New Taipei urban renewal units of 2,000 m² or more need level 3.

Taipei EIA review standards; New Taipei urban renewal review principles

18 points

Low embodied carbon added to the green building label

The 2026 Green Building Evaluation Manual turns the CO2 Reduction and Waste Reduction indicators into Low Embodied Carbon, scored on the LEBR reduction rate and mandatory from July 2030.

Architecture and Building Research Institute, June 2026

100 %

Green budget recognition with all three labels

Public buildings holding the green building, energy and low-carbon labels can have their full construction budget recognized as green spending; the FSC taxonomy guidelines also list low-carbon level 2 as one test for new buildings.

Public building guidelines; FSC Taiwan Sustainable Taxonomy guidelines

02 Ratings & scope

How LEBR rates buildings, and what it counts

LEBR compares the embodied carbon of the design with the manual's baseline case, calculates the carbon reduction rate (CFR) and converts it into a level. Level 4 or better is a low-carbon building, and 1+ is an ultra-low-carbon building.

Levels and carbon reduction rate

Level	Carbon reduction rate (CFR)	Meaning
1+	20% or more	Ultra-low-carbon building
1	Over 16%, under 20%	Low-carbon building
2	Over 12%, up to 16%	Low-carbon building
3	Over 8%, up to 12%	Low-carbon building
4	Over 3%, up to 8%	Low-carbon threshold
5–7	3% or less	Not a low-carbon building

The carbon reduction rate (CFR) is the share of embodied carbon the design saves against the manual's baseline case. The scope follows the EN 15978 life-cycle stages, covering material production and transport, construction, repairs and replacement in use, and demolition and disposal (excluding operational energy and water); basements are counted for emissions but not for the rating.

Main components calculated

Main structure

Structural system, spans and plan regularity

External walls

Construction type and materials

Windows and curtain walls

Frames and glass

Interior partitions

Drywall or masonry

Indoor and outdoor floors

Finishes and base layers

Reduction credits

Low-carbon materials and methods, reused materials, extended service life

How LEBR, BERS and the green building label divide the work

	LEBR low-carbon building label	BERS energy label	EEWH green building label
What it rates	Embodied carbon: material production and transport, construction, repairs, demolition and disposal	Operational carbon: energy for air conditioning, lighting and more	Combined indicators across ecology, energy, waste and health
Levels	Levels 1+ and 1–7	Levels 1+ and 1–7, plus the "zero" label	Certified to Diamond
What 1+ means	Ultra-low-carbon building	Nearly zero carbon building	Not applicable
Validity	Label has no expiry; candidate certificate 5 years	5 years	5 years
GreenJump service	This page	BERS consulting	Green building consulting

The three labels can be applied for separately or together; one set of drawings and quantities can support all three calculations.

New to LEBR? Read the full guide

03 What we do

What our LEBR consulting covers

Every step from level estimate to label comes with its own calculations and documents.

Feasibility

Level estimate

Estimate the carbon reduction rate from drawings to see which level the design is at and how far it is from the target.

Calculation

Embodied carbon calculation

Build the design and baseline cases under the 2025 manual and calculate the embodied carbon of the main structure, external walls and windows, curtain walls, interior partitions and indoor and outdoor floors.

Design advice

Carbon reduction design advice

Find the most effective combination among structural spans and plan regularity, construction type, low-carbon concrete, low-carbon recycled materials and methods, reused materials and extended service life.

Submission

Submission documents

Prepare the assessment summary, rating scoresheet and other documents, apply to the Taiwan Architecture and Building Center (TABC) for evaluation and respond to corrections.

Verification

Site inspection and approval

For the final label, compile evidence of actual deliveries and construction, support the site inspection and apply to the Ministry of the Interior for approval.

Integration

Integrated label planning

Plan it together with the green building label, the building energy label and LEED, sharing drawings and calculations to avoid duplicate work.

04 How we work

From design to the label

The earlier you start, the more room there is. A level estimate before massing and structure are fixed is the most cost-effective moment.

Design: level estimate and strategy

Before massing is fixed

Estimate the reduction rate and achievable level
Compare structural, facade and partition options
Propose design changes to reach the target level

You receive Level estimate and comparison of reduction options

Candidate low-carbon certificate

After the building permit

Complete calculations and documents
TABC evaluation (30 days by regulation)
Apply to the Ministry of the Interior for approval

You receive Candidate low-carbon building certificate

Construction: materials and methods

Construction phase

Track low-carbon concrete mixes and material deliveries
Check embodied carbon of design changes
Help with re-evaluation when changes occur

You receive Delivery and construction evidence, change evaluation documents

Low-carbon building label

After the use permit

Prepare completion data
Document evaluation, site inspection and evaluation meeting (50 days by regulation)
Apply to the Ministry of the Interior for approval

You receive Low-carbon building label

Disclosure and reuse

After the label

Data reused for the low embodied carbon indicator of the green building label
Evidence for sustainability reports and green finance
Links to LEED v5 embodied carbon and international disclosure

You receive Reusable embodied carbon data

Projects without a building permit can apply for candidate certificate evaluation first and submit the permit within three months of passing.

Why GreenJump

Low-carbon, green building and energy labels together

All three labels share one set of drawings and quantities, and GreenJump also consults on the green building label and BERS, so nothing needs to be subcontracted.

Evidence Kaohsiung R17 A5: five labels planned together

Modeling and calculation in one team

GreenJump has its own energy modeling and CFD team, so embodied and operational carbon are weighed together rather than cutting one at the expense of the other.

Evidence See the team page for credentials

A local rating that reads internationally

Taiwan's LEBR uses a reduction rate against a baseline case, while LEED v5 and the EU use absolute whole-life carbon. One set of calculations can produce both results.

Evidence LEED certification consulting

In from the start of design

Structural spans, plan regularity and construction type determine most of the reduction rate. GreenJump puts comparable options on the table before massing is fixed.

05 Global context

Abroad, embodied carbon is moving from disclosure to limits

Several European countries already cap the whole-life carbon of new buildings, and LEED v5 makes embodied carbon quantification a prerequisite.

System	Approach	Timeline
Revised EU EPBD	New buildings must calculate whole-life carbon (GWP) and disclose it in the energy performance certificate; member states must set out reduction roadmaps	Disclosure for new buildings over 1,000 m² from 2028 and all new buildings from 2030; limits from 2030
Danish building regulations	Four limits by building type and size, averaging 7.1 kg CO2e per m² per year	From 2025
French RE2020	Material and construction carbon (Ic construction) limits fall in stages, for example detached houses 640 → 530 → 475 → 415 kg CO2e/m²	Steps every 3 years from 2022
Dutch MPG	Limits on environmental shadow cost (euros per m² per year); a new method from July 2026 tightens offices by about 15%	Mandatory
UK RICS	Whole Life Carbon Assessment standard, 2nd edition, mandatory for RICS members carrying out assessments	In full effect from July 1, 2024
LEED v5	Embodied carbon quantification (MRp2) is a prerequisite; reductions earn points	From 2025

Taiwan's LEBR is a reduction rate against a baseline case, while Europe mostly sets absolute limits. For projects linked to EU supply chains, foreign headquarters or LEED v5, the calculations should also produce absolute values (kg CO2e/m²).

Low-carbon building labels (as of December 2025)

Plus 15 candidate certificates; private buildings account for 14 in total, so voluntary applications are already the majority.

Architecture and Building Research Institute, second ceremony

Low-carbon recycled materials recognized by ABRI

Plus 5 low-carbon construction methods; these materials and methods earn reduction credits in the LEBR calculation.

Architecture and Building Research Institute, December 2025

1+ level

Ultra-low-carbon examples in social housing and public buildings

Social housing projects at the first ceremony reached reduction rates of 21% to 29%; 2025 level 1+ labels include the Taiwan Business Bank Puli branch.

Ministry of the Interior, November 2024; ABRI, December 2025

06 Cost & time

Cost and time, worked out up front

The cost of LEBR has four parts. Official fees and TABC evaluation fees are public, so we calculate them for you.

Ministry of the Interior fees

NT$800 review fee plus NT$200 certificate fee

TABC evaluation fee

By total floor area; a site inspection fee for the final label

Consulting calculation services

Embodied carbon calculation, reduction advice and documents, quoted per project

Cost of carbon reduction design

Structural optimization, low-carbon concrete and materials; varies widely by design

Official fee estimator

Total floor area (m²)

Stage

TABC document evaluation fee: NT$ —
Site inspection fee: NT$ —
Ministry of the Interior fees: NT$ —
Total official fees: NT$ —

Estimated from the TABC low-carbon building label fee schedule and Ministry of the Interior fees; document fees are halved for design changes or certificate extensions. Consulting fees are not included, and the latest TABC schedule applies.

Statutory evaluation periods (excluding corrections)

Candidate low-carbon certificate	30 days Evaluated by TABC, then approval from the Ministry of the Interior
Low-carbon building label	50 days Document evaluation, site inspection and evaluation meeting
With a candidate certificate	25 days When applying for the label after design changes are reviewed by the original evaluator and pass acceptance
Validity	Label has no expiry The candidate certificate lasts 5 years and can be extended where eligible

Correction time does not count toward the evaluation period: corrections are due within 30 days, extendable once by 30 days.
A project follows the manual in force on the date of the building permit application or the evaluation application; the 2025 manual has applied since July 1, 2026.

How consulting fees are quoted

Consulting fees are quoted per project and depend on the four things below. Tell us these four and we can estimate the full budget.

01 Total floor area and structural system Area and structural complexity set the amount of quantity calculation.
02 Target level Level 1+ needs more option comparisons and design integration.
03 Stage at which we join Joining before massing is fixed allows the most options; after the building permit, the work is mainly calculation and submission.
04 Whether other labels are included Doing it together with the green building label, BERS or LEED shares drawings and quantities.

TABC evaluation fees and Ministry of the Interior fees are a separate cost, which the estimator above can approximate.

07 FAQ

Frequently asked questions

What is the LEBR low-carbon building label?

LEBR (Low Embodied-carbon Building Rating System) is Taiwan's embodied carbon label for buildings, introduced by the Ministry of the Interior on July 1, 2024. It counts emissions from material production and transport, construction, repairs and replacement, and demolition and disposal. It compares the design with the manual's baseline case and rates it from level 1 to level 7 by carbon reduction rate (CFR); level 4 or better is a low-carbon building, and a level 1 building with a reduction rate of 20% or more is an ultra-low-carbon building, labeled 1+.

What does LEBR consulting include?

It includes a level estimate, calculating the embodied carbon of the design and baseline cases under the 2025 manual, carbon reduction design advice, preparing submission documents and responding to corrections, supporting the site inspection, and applying to the Ministry of the Interior for approval, to obtain the candidate low-carbon building certificate or the low-carbon building label.

When is the best time to start on LEBR?

As early as possible. The reduction rate depends mainly on the structural system, plan regularity and construction type, which are hard to change once massing and structure are fixed. We recommend a level estimate during planning and design, and completing the calculation around the building permit at the latest to apply for the candidate certificate.

Does my project have to apply for the low-carbon building label?

Private buildings are currently voluntary. New public buildings with a total construction budget of NT$50 million or more are phased in by use group from July 1, 2027, at level 2 or better, rising to level 1 or better from 2030. Taipei EIA reviews and New Taipei urban renewal reviews already require the label for certain projects, so each case needs checking.

How long does it take to get the low-carbon building label?

TABC statutory evaluation periods are 30 days for the candidate certificate and 50 days for the label; 25 days when a candidate certificate holder applies for the label after design changes are reviewed by the original evaluator and pass acceptance, excluding corrections; approval from the Ministry of the Interior follows. The overall timeline depends on how complete the drawings are and on corrections.

How much does the low-carbon building label cost?

The TABC document evaluation fee is NT$45,000 to NT$111,000 by total floor area, with a NT$30,000 site inspection fee for the final label; Ministry of the Interior fees are a NT$800 review fee plus a NT$200 certificate fee. Consulting calculation services are quoted separately by project size and stage.

Can LEBR be applied for together with the green building label and BERS?

Yes. The green building label, the building energy label and the low-carbon building label can be applied for separately or together. Once the 2026 Green Building Evaluation Manual takes effect on July 1, 2030, projects holding LEBR or BERS can cite those results when applying for the green building label, without a repeat evaluation.

Which LEBR manual applies now?

The 2025 Low (Embodied) Carbon Building Evaluation Manual has applied since July 1, 2026. A project follows the manual in force on the date of the building permit application or the evaluation application, unless the building permit states a regulatory date or EIA, urban renewal or urban design reviews set other rules. A valid candidate certificate can keep its original manual when applying for the label.

How long is the low-carbon building label valid?

The low-carbon building label has no expiry. The candidate low-carbon building certificate is valid for five years and can be extended, up to five years each time, where the construction period exceeds five years, design changes extend the schedule, a use permit application has been filed, or for other reasons beyond the applicant's control.

Can low-carbon concrete raise the level?

Yes. The LEBR manual gives reduction credits for low-carbon recycled materials and low-carbon methods recognized by ABRI; as of December 2025, 45 materials and 5 methods had been recognized, and limestone cement concrete made in Taiwan already holds low-carbon recycled material recognition and an environmental product declaration (EPD). That said, the structural system and plan regularity usually matter more, so it is best to compare them together with materials.

How does LEBR differ from LEED v5 and EU embodied carbon rules?

Taiwan's LEBR rates projects by reduction rate against a baseline case; LEED v5 makes embodied carbon quantification a prerequisite and reductions a credit; the EU EPBD requires new buildings to disclose whole-life carbon from 2028 and 2030, and Denmark, France and the Netherlands already set absolute limits. For projects facing both local and international requirements, the calculations should produce both the reduction rate and absolute values.

How are LEBR consulting fees calculated?

Consulting fees are quoted per project and depend mainly on four things: total floor area and structural system, target level, the stage at which we join (before massing is fixed or after the building permit), and whether the green building label, BERS or LEED are planned together. TABC evaluation fees and Ministry of the Interior fees are a separate cost.

Sources and update date

Regulations and figures on this page were checked on November 15, 2026; if the system changes, announcements by ABRI and TABC prevail.

Sources： ABRI: low (embodied) carbon building rating (in Chinese) ・ Low-carbon building label guidelines issued (January 2024; in Chinese) ・ TABC: 2025 manual in force from July 1, 2026 (in Chinese) ・ TABC LEBR fee schedule (in Chinese) ・ Guidelines for whole-life energy and carbon reduction in public building works (in Chinese) ・ Taipei EIA review standards (in Chinese) ・ New Taipei urban renewal review principles (in Chinese) ・ ABRI: second low-carbon building label ceremony (December 2025; in Chinese) ・ European Commission: EPBD ・ European Environment Agency: Danish building carbon limits ・ RICS Whole Life Carbon Assessment standard, 2nd edition

Want to know which level your project can reach?

Tell us the project size and current design stage, and a GreenJump consultant will explain how the level is assessed and which reduction options work.