December 15th, 2021Pathway to sustainability

A LANDMARK new plan sets out a practical pathway for transforming Australian homes, workplaces and other buildings into low carbon, high-performance structures while cost-effectively reducing emissions.

Every building counts: A practical plan for emissions reduction, is a policy toolkit jointly developed by the Property Council of Australia and Green Building Council of Australia was launched recently by the Federal Minister for Energy and Emissions Reduction Angus Taylor.

The package includes 75 recommendations to federal, state and territory and local governments, designed to transform Australia’s built environment and achieve net zero emissions by 2050. Buildings currently account over 50 per cent of Australia’s electricity use and almost a quarter of our carbon emissions.

The toolkit was informed by an international review of effective policies for reducing emissions in buildings. In shaping the toolkit’s recommendations, various policy options were assessed against three key criteria; impact: emissions reduction opportunity; ease of implementation; lack of barriers or challenges for adoption; and cost effectiveness.

The recommendations cover all building types and the full building lifecycle and are shaped around seven key themes:

1. Set out a long term vision for net zero buildings and extend the trajectory for low energy buildings to 2050;

2. Ensure the Climate Solutions Fund drives low cost abatement and provide targeted financial incentives;

3. Deliver a zero carbon ready building code and improve enforcement and compliance;

4. Expand the mandate of the Energy Security Board to drive energy productivity across the economy;

5. Deliver city deals that drive cost effective emissions reductions;

6. Empower buyers and renters with a single national rating scheme for home energy performance; and

7. Make Australia a global leader in high-performance building products.

The toolkit was sponsored by Low Carbon Living CRC with support of steering group partners ASBEC and the Energy Efficiency Council and is available at www.everybuildingcounts.com.au