The Property Council of Australia has expressed its support for the government’s announcement to consult on expanding the Commercial Building Disclosure (CBD) Program.
The CBD Program currently requires office buildings larger than 1,000 square metres to disclose their NABERS energy performance ratings when selling or leasing space.
Property Council Chief Executive Mike Zorbas emphasised the benefits of expanding the CBD Program to cover more commercial office space and types of commercial buildings.
He stated that this move would lead to significant savings in emissions and energy bills.
“It is an opportunity to rethink the Program’s role in encouraging electrification, the procurement of renewable electricity and a focus on embodied carbon of buildings,” Zorbas said.
While the CBD Program places a light-touch compliance burden on building owners, it offers significant advantages, such as higher tenant retention and increased value of highly rated buildings.
Zorbas acknowledged that Australia’s property industry is a world leader when it comes to energy-efficient offices and that consultation with the sector will be crucial for the program’s long-term success.
The Property Council and Green Building Council of Australia’s joint policy platform, Every Building Counts, called for a regular review-and-ratchet expansion of NABERS and the CBD Program alongside a suite of policies offering a roadmap towards zero-carbon ready buildings.
The announcement by Assistant Minister for Climate Change and Energy, Jenny McAllister, to consult on expanding the CBD Program aligns with the industry’s efforts to promote energy efficiency and reduce emissions in the commercial building sector.