Driving forward the decarbonisation of Australia’s built environment is a top priority for the new Green Building Council of Australia (GBCA) Chief Executive Officer, Davina Rooney, who took the reins this week.
Ms Rooney says the aim is to progress the GBCA to help realise a zero carbon future.
“The net zero benchmark has been set – now we’re navigating the path to achieving it. And we’re doing it in partnership with industry.
Since 2003, GBCA has seen more than 2,250 projects registered under Green Star, which Mr Rooney is determined to build on even further.
12 months ago, the GBCA kicked off a consultation with industry about the evolution of Green Star. With 600 participants in the consultations to date it is a powerful testament to industry’s engagement and passion for leading the net zero transformation.
“That’s why when 100% of respondents agreed that Green Star buildings should meet the Paris Agreement target of 1.5°C, we have proposed that all 6 Star Green Star buildings be mandated net zero carbon.
GBCA is making Green Star more accessible while both maintaining and increasing its standards so people working on Green Star projects can spend more time focusing on the sustainability outcomes and less on the certification paperwork.
“Decarbonisation is an enduring priority and while we are simplifying Green Star by focussing on a set of minimum, across-the-board criteria, we are also embedding carbon priorities in the process.”
Ms Rooney said the GBCA’s Carbon Positive Roadmap outlined the policies and actions required to achieve decarbonisation in the built environment and contribute to Australia’s international carbon-reduction obligations. One of the key steps is creating sustainable buildings through government-led procurement.
“I look forward to engaging with the Morrison Government and Emissions Reductions Minister Angus Taylor in particular, to work through the steps Australia needs to take to achieve decarbonisation in the built environment and realise the huge opportunity it offers to reduce carbon emissions,” she said.
“We will continue to put forward solutions, like increasing minimum standards so that Australia’s entire construction sector is playing its part in reducing emissions.
“With the residential sector accounting for 57 per cent of our built environment emissions, we need a clear standard for housing and I look forward to continuing the work with GBCA’s Future Homes Champions to develop and deliver that standard.”