A Comprehensive Framework for Affordable Net Zero Housing: Identifying and Validating Critical Success Factors and Associated Criteria

Affordability and carbon reduction are increasingly interlinked challenges in the housing sector, requiring a systematic approach that balances carbon neutrality, cost efficiency, and social inclusion, and positioning “affordable net zero housing” as a critical pathway towards sustainable development. To address this need, this study developed a comprehensive framework for affordable net zero housing by identifying and validating critical success factors (CSFs) and associated criteria. A comprehensive literature review of academic, policy, and industry sources was conducted to derive key sustainability dimensions, followed by expert validation using an international focus group of 23 professionals. The review resulted in the identification of nine CSFs: energy efficiency, on-site renewable energy generation, water efficiency and conservation, sustainable and low impact construction, waste management, community and connectivity, resilience and climate change adaptation, social and health benefits, and economic accessibility. The findings indicated that all nine CSFs are essential and collectively contribute to the successful delivery of affordable net zero housing. Among them, energy efficiency was ranked as the most critical CSF (RII=4.9), followed by economic accessibility and sustainable and low-impact construction. The validated framework provides a structured decision-support tool for policymakers, designers, and developers seeking to integrate environmental performance, economic feasibility, and social equity in housing projects. However, further research is required to apply determine multi-criteria decision-making (MCDM) techniques to determine relative weighting and contextual prioritization Such advancements will strengthen the framework’s practical applicability and support more effective delivery of affordable net zero housing solutions. From Conventional to Green Offices: Indoor Environmental Quality (IEQ) and Employee Satisfaction in South Africa Thabelo Ramantswana, Tsepiso Mote, Koech Kenneth Cheruiyot University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa There is limited empirical evidence from Sub-Saharan Africa on whether certified green