Building performance expands beyond operational energy

This was evident at the 76^th NABERS Steering Committee meeting on October 28, 2026, which brought together updates on NABERS priorities, the Commercial Building Disclosure program, and developments across government and industry. 

Three areas are particularly relevant to AIRAH members. 

Embodied carbon enters the benchmarking conversation 

The committee considered an update on embodied carbon benchmarking, reflecting growing attention to the emissions associated with the entire cradle-to-grave lifecycle of building materials, equipment and assets. 

Traditionally, much of our industry’s focus has been on reducing the energy consumed during building operations. Embodied carbon introduces another important dimension, encouraging a broader understanding of the environmental impact of buildings throughout their lifecycle. 

Data centres remain a growing priority 

The NABERS Data Centres project was another key item on the agenda. As demand for data centre infrastructure grows, so does the importance of energy performance, cooling efficiency and effective mechanical services. 

This presents significant opportunities for HVAC&R professionals, particularly in designing and operating efficient cooling systems for energy-intensive facilities. 

Building performance frameworks continue to evolve 

The meeting also covered NABERS priorities, the Commercial Building Disclosure program, renewable energy indicator trends and developments in the ACT. 

For AIRAH members, the broader message is clear: building performance is increasingly being assessed through multiple lenses, including operational energy, embodied carbon, renewable energy and the performance of specialised infrastructure. 

As these frameworks develop, the practical experience of engineers, designers, contractors and building operators will be critical to ensuring that performance ambitions translate into measurable outcomes. 

---