The green-certified Sydney Opera House has announced ambitious new sustainability targets that extend current gains including plans to increase energy savings.
The Opera House’s new Environmental Sustainability Plan (ESP), released this week commits the World Heritage-listed building to achieving an 80 per cent recycling rate for construction works as part of its Decade of Renewal, a program of works that will upgrade the Opera House for future generations of artists, performers, audiences and visitors.
The ESP also targets a 15 per cent energy saving and a seven per cent greenhouse-gas reduction by 2019.
As reported in CCN Videos (http://www.climatecontrolnews.com.au/video/sydney-opera-house-tour), the Opera House received a 4 Star Green Star-Performance rating from the Green Building Council of Australia in 2015 – a rare achievement for a heritage building.
By its 50th anniversary in 2023, the Opera House is aiming to achieve a 5 Star Green Star rating.
Since launching its first sustainability plan in 2010, the Opera House has:
Saved $1 million in electricity costs through improved energy efficiency;
Ensured that four of the past five Vivid LIVE festivals have been certified carbon neutral;
Increased waste recycling from 20 per cent to 65 per cent;
Introduced food recycling for charities; and
Received two prestigious Green Globe Awards for the Concert Hall lights and Social Sustainability Initiatives.
The Opera House’s architect, Jørn Utzon, incorporated sustainable design elements such as a seawater-cooling system into the building, which first opened in 1973.
NSW Deputy Premier Troy Grant said the Sydney Opera House continues to lead the way in sustainability practices and initiatives in NSW and across Australia.
"This commitment to best practice in sustainability sets an example and challenge for NSW businesses, that no matter
what you do, it is possible to embed sustainability in your business," he said.
Green Building Council of Australia CEO, Romilly Madew, said the Opera House has shown the world that even the most challenging, iconic and historic buildings can be sustainable.
"Some organisations might rest on their laurels after achieving a 4 Star Green Star rating, but instead the Sydney Opera House is looking to embed sustainability throughout the organisation, and to push towards a 5 Star Green Star rating," she said.
"If the Opera House can go green, anything can go green.”