Industry groups have come together to release a plan on how to achieve net zero carbon buildings by 2030.
Released by the Australian Sustainable Built Environment Council (ASBEC) it shows how every building in the country can play a part in reducing Australia’s emissions.
Entitled Every Building Counts: A practical plan for emissions reduction, it was authored by the Green Building Council of Australia and the Property Council of Australia.
Buildings contribute almost a quarter of Australia’s emissions, along with more than half of electricity consumption. Buildings could also meet over half of the national energy productivity target, and more than one quarter of the national emissions target.
ASBEC president, Ken Maher, said implementing a comprehensive suite of energy efficiency opportunities across Australia’s building stock could save up to $20 billion by 2030, as well as productivity benefits and improvements in quality of life for Australian businesses and households.
ASBEC executive director, Suzanne Toumbourou, said industry already has the technology to creae zero carbon buildings.
Every Building Counts contains 75 recommendations, in a comprehensive assessment of what is required to improve energy performance for specific types of building, including commercial, residential and government, as well as what works across all building types.
The seven key recommendations in the report are:
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
It is available at www.everybuildingcounts.com.au.