The Government has announced funding for improved energy efficiency measures in the built sector, with a $17 million commitment for action on buildings, divided into $7.1 million for commercial buildings, and $3.4 million for residential buildings.
With the built environment accounting for a quarter of Australia’s emissions, Property Council Chief Executive Ken Morrison said support for energy efficiency makes good sense.
“Especially since the Government’s revamped Emissions Reduction Fund is not effective in driving change in the built environment,” Mr Morrison said.
The Green Building Council of Australia’s (GBCA) Head of Public Affairs and Membership Jonathan Cartledge said it was terrific to see government recognising the significant opportunity the built environment offers to meet Australia’s emissions reduction commitments.
“There is a wealth of evidence showing that improving the energy efficiency of our buildings is an extremely cost effective way to considerably cut carbon emissions,” Mr Cartledge said.
Measures targeted at new and existing buildings could deliver 28 per cent of Australia’s 2030 emissions reduction target according to the Australian Sustainable Built Environment Council.
“We are particularly pleased to see the government building on the success of the National Australian Built Environment Energy Rating System (NABERS) and expanding its application to more building types, like schools, and industrial buildings.”
$1 million is being provided to support the expansion of the National Australian Built Environment Rating Scheme (NABERS) to other building types. NABERS represents the best of Government and industry collaboration in the property industry and the announced funding is crucial to support the expansion of a trusted, robust benchmark of energy performance to other segments of the built environment.
The Government’s announcement also includes the implementation of the Trajectory for Low Energy Buildings which was recently approved by COAG Energy Ministers.
“Australia’s property industry is a global leader in delivering a sustainable and energy efficient built environment and well-placed to support the design and implementation of world-class energy efficiency outcomes,” Mr Morrison said.