The Green Building Council of Australia (GBCA) has released ‘Green Star: A year in focus’, its first annual report measuring the impact of Green Star.
Green Star has played a pivotal role in transforming Australia’s built environment since it was launched by the GBCA in 2003.
It is Australia’s only national, voluntary and independently certified rating system for buildings and communities.
According to the report, as at the end of June 2019, more than 2,350 Green Star certifications have been issued across close to 2000 assets in Australia.
These certifications come in all shapes and sizes, from office buildings to retail fit-outs, airports, university campuses, public buildings, and everything in between.
Some of Australia’s most iconic buildings and precincts have achieved Green Star certification over the years, with notable examples being the Sydney Opera House, Barangaroo, University of Melbourne and Curtin University, Sydney Airport and the Melbourne Convention Centre.
In a nutshell:
- 40 per cent of CBD office space is Green Star certified [1]
- 40 per cent of retail space is Green Star certified [1]
- 6 per cent of the workforce head to a green office each day
- 3 million people visit a Green Star-rated shopping centre each day
- 60,000 people live in Green Star-rated apartments
- 480,000 people are moving into 43 Green Star rated communities
Green Star continues to be the rating tool of choice for the built environment in Australia.
- 2,353 certifications (As of June 2019) [2]
- 603 upcoming certifications (As of June 2019) [2]
- 398 certifications in FY2019
- 337 certifications in FY2018
Helping to build a sustainable future
The built environment is currently the world’s single largest contributor to greenhouse gas emissions, and also consumes about a third of Australia’s water and generates 40 per cent of the country’s waste [3].
When compared to buildings constructed to meet minimum standard [4], Green Star rated buildings are designed and built to produce 55 per cent fewer emissions, use 66 per cent less electricity, use 51 per cent less water and recycle 96 per cent of waste.
Undertaking voluntary Green Star certification demonstrates leadership, innovation, environmental stewardship and social responsibility. Moreover, GBCA members agree that the main economic benefits are:
- Ability to create better-performing buildings
- Lower operating costs (energy costs, total lifecycle costs)
- Improved occupant health and well-being
- 60 per cent of members estimate the payback period for Green Star is 5 years or less
In the report, the GBCA states that Green Star will continue to evolve with the global megatrends that are reshaping the industry and built environment, from climate and demographic change to health and well-being, human rights, equity and resilience.
The Green Building Council of Australia report ‘Green Star: A year in focus’ can be found online here.
[1] Source: MSCI / PCA Green Property Index 2018
[2] Across close to 2000 buildings, fit-outs, and communities.
[3] GBCA 2019
[4] GBCA 2018 – a building built to the national construction code applicable at the time.