Page 1
US engineering organisation ASHRAE has released a guide focusing on the essential role of grid interactivity in the decarbonisation process. The second in a series of guides developed by the ASHRAE Task Force For Building Decarbonization (TFBD), the Grid-Interactive Buildings for Decarbonization: Design and Operation Resource Guide is designed to provide information on maximising carbon […]
Cundall is holding an online panel discussion on Monday, September 11 to mark World Green Building Week 2023. The discussion, titled Reimagining a Climate Resilient Built Environment, is Cundall’s response to the urgent calls in the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) 6th Synthesis report released in April 2023, and will focus on how to […]
Washington Post writers have constructed a hypothetical city to demonstrate the disastrous effects of extreme heat on infrastructure – building a cautionary tale in “Meltsville”. The project draws international inspiration from true examples of built environments that weren’t designed to endure extreme temperatures. Meltsville, through its article and accompanying dynamic graphics, illustrates that much of […]
AIRAH has welcomed the immediate support provided for industry in the Federal Budget 2022–23, and says the HVAC&R building services industry stands ready to help develop a clear and sustainable long-term vision for Australia. A dominant theme in this year’s Budget has been the need for a stronger workforce. The government has announced a raft […]
Australia’s Infrastructure Sustainability Council has released two new agendas that it hopes will bring the building industry together around a shared vision to address climate change and combat inequality. The first agenda, Advance our nations, fair – world-class infrastructure for thriving nations, explores barriers to world-class infrastructure performance. The second, Place-based approaches to net zero, […]
The International Energy Agency (IEA) is collating case studies as part of its Energy in Buildings and Communities (EBC) program. The specific project, Annex 80, focuses on the resilient cooling of buildings. “The world is facing a rapid increase of air conditioning of buildings,” says the IEA “This is driven by multiple factors, such as […]
The federal government has published the sixth edition of Your Home, an independent guide to environmentally sustainable homes. Your Home provides advice on designs, materials and appliances that can make homes more comfortable and sustainable when building, buying or renovating. Written by more than 50 experts in building design and construction, it contains the latest […]
In response to varied occupancy patterns due to the COVID-19 pandemic, A.G. Coombs has released an advisory note on supporting resilient tenant IT systems. “During COVID-19 many buildings experienced a significant reduction in the number of occupants,” says A.G. Coombs. “With the move to remote working, the reliance on tenant IT systems, often supported by […]
Infrastructure Australia has published the 2021 Australian Infrastructure Plan, calling for a new wave of infrastructure reform that contemplates sustainability and resilience to fully leverage the Australian government’s $110 billion infrastructure spend and drive the national COVID-19 recovery. The 2021 Plan provides Australia’s infrastructure sector with a 15-year roadmap that Infrastructure Australia says will drive […]
The Green Building Council of Australia (GBCA) will be holding Transform 2021 as a virtual event on March 17–18. Transform is the GBCA’s flagship event for sustainability in the built environment. Transform Online 2021 will explore how we can drive change and action for our places and people, as we aim for resilient, healthy, net […]
Green Star ratings are coming to Australian homes, with the Green Building Council of Australia (GBCA) announcing a draft Green Star Homes Standard for consultation. Part of the Green Building Council of Australia’s Future Homes Strategy, the initiative is intended to drive transformation in the residential sector to create a market for healthier, more resilient, […]
Over the past month, Australia’s measures to control the spread of the coronavirus have profoundly changed the way we interact with the built environment. In simple terms, it has meant people spending the majority of their day at home rather than another workplace. But, according to members of AIRAH’s Resilience Special Technical Group (STG), it […]
Resilient Sydney – a strategy document created by 33 Sydney metropolitan councils and the 100 Resilient Cities initiative – has stressed the importance of planning for climate change. The strategy document was released this week with the aim of strengthening the city’s ability to survive, adapt and thrive in the face of increasing global uncertainty […]
Temperatures of over 43°C in Southern California and the associated increase in air conditioning demand has led to a series of blackouts across Los Angeles. And it may be a sign of things to come. Almost 100,000 customers in LA were left without power during a heatwave that set new records. According to the Los […]
Nicki Parker is Sustainability Manager for Norman Disney & Young and is leading AIRAH’s inaugural Resilience Forum on July 26 in Sydney. We spoke to her about what resilience is and why it matters. Nicki, can you give us a “nutshell” definition of resilience? It’s the ability to bounce back from an extreme event or […]
After a very dry start to the year across much of mainland southeastern Australia, A.G. Coombs has issued an advisory note: Managing Resilient Buildings – Preparing for Dust Storms. “It is important particularly during the drier months in Australia to plan for extreme weather events such as dust storms,” the company says. “In September 2009 […]