Worldwide revenues from buildings that use green technologies to produce as much energy as they use could climb to just under $1.3tr by 2035, analysts say.

Although few zero-energy buildings exist, the concept has 'emerged as a gold standard in the construction industry' and will be given a boost by regulations coming into force from 2016, says a report published by Pike Research earlier this week.

The UK leads the way in the field, with all new homes in England required to be built to zero carbon standards by 2016 and new non-domestic buildings following in 2019. Property owners may also be forced to fit energy efficiency measures while buildings are undergoing other renovations, under proposals published on Tuesday.

Meanwhile, the EU's Energy Performance of Buildings Directive (EPBD) will require nearly zero energy construction in public buildings by 2019 and in all new construction by 2021, while Pike says similar regulations are being considered in the US and Japan.

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