The Green Building Council of Australia (GBCA) will introduce a new label for 'net zero' houses, in an effort to encourage the industry towards higher environmental standards.

The label will be reserved for buildings that achieve 'net zero' by having a neutral impact on energy, carbon, and water.

The label will be introduced in 2016. 

Romilly Madew, CEO GBCA, said, "The new label will introduce an advanced curriculum to educate professionals on how to deliver net zero buildings, promote net zero as an achievable goal in our events, and create resources that can be used internationally to drive the uptake of net zero building worldwide."

The label marks Buildings Day, which was held on 3 December as part of the COP21 climate talks in Paris. Green building councils from South Africa and Canada have also pledged to introduce 'net zero' labelling.

'The GBCA's vision is to recognise and reward projects that make a positive contribution to the environment," said Madew.