Based on an analysis of the connotation of zero energy buildings, a whole review has been made of its historical development, followed by an introduction and investigation of the policies and development planning of zero energy buildings in foreign countries. An overall account has been given of the current research situation at home and abroad of zero energy buildings concerning the theoretical research, building energy strategy and optimization, its feasibility analysis, as well as its economic evaluation. What’s more, a prospect of the research has been made on building technologies with zero energy consumption in China from aspects of its target planning, policy guidance, standard specification, technical system, industrial support, and monitoring and evaluation systems.