Matt Dillon
The Australian Sustainable Built Environment Council (ASBEC) has welcomed the federal government’s recent announcement of its additional investment in energy efficiency. ASBEC is particularly impressed with the clear focus on improving the energy and emissions performance of buildings.
ASBEC’s modelling has shown that with appropriate support, Australia’s building sector could deliver over a quarter of Australia’s 2030 emissions-reduction target.
“The government’s commitment to low-energy buildings sets the foundation for meaningful progress in a sector that offers some of the most cost-effective solutions for energy savings and emissions reduction,” says ASBEC executive director Suzanne Toumbourou (pictured).
“ASBEC strongly supports the expansion of the National Australian Built Environment Energy Ratings System, which has grown awareness of the benefits of energy performance of commercial buildings and driven better comfort and bill-saving outcomes for occupants.
“We look forward to a nationally harmonised rating system for residential buildings, so that householders can realise these benefits as well.”
Earlier this year, ASBEC applauded the release of the COAG Energy Council’s Trajectory for Low Energy Buildings, which outlined a pathway towards “zero-energy- (and carbon) ready buildings”, increases to the energy-efficiency provisions in the National Construction Code, and further consideration of options for existing buildings.
“Energy ratings for buildings and the Trajectory for Low Energy Buildings hold great promise,” Toumbourou says. “But there is much more to be done to meet the full potential that Australia’s buildings offer.”
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