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Knowledge of low carbon best practice for a home and building’s lifecycle – construction, retrofit and operation – is now available via the CRC for Low Carbon Living’s (CRCLCL) Low Carbon Guides.

These user-friendly guides will help consumers and professionals make informed decisions about their home, commercial property or development project – from understanding an electricity bill to creating a sustainable precinct.

The guide series is housed on the CRCLCL’s research legacy portal BuiltBetter.org which also includes all reports, conference papers, journal articles and fact sheets produced over its seven year lifespan.

There is even practical guidance for built environment professionals and regulatory agencies seeking to optimise development projects to moderate urban microclimates and mitigate urban heat island effects in major urban centres across a range of climates in Australia .

Recognising the need to address carbon emissions from existing residential buildings, the portal includes a guide to low carbon residential buildings (retrofit).

Historically, policy on reducing carbon emissions has focused on regulating new-build projects; however, with less than 2% of the building stock in Australia replaced each year, there is a clear need to reduce carbon emissions in homes that have already been built and occupied.

The document builds on key research conducted nationally by individuals and organisations, including the Australian Government’s Department of Environment and Energy and local universities, working in the areas of low carbon retrofit options, housing typology and climate.