ASBEC continues to been active in developing and pursuing practical responses to achieve sustainability across all elements of the built environment, whether at building, local, precinct, city or national level.

ASBEC members and Task Groups are currently developing work on:

• Research into the impacts of planning, transport and urban form on GHG emissions of the built environment 
• Development of indicators around Cities and Urban Planning and Development
• Strategic planning to encourage distributed energy systems at precinct level
• Research into  Climate Change Adaptation policy
• Discussion paper on supporting sustainability incentives for zero emissions in residential buildings 
• Evaluation and development of the Green Skills and Education landscape required to support the transition to a low-carbon economy
• Business communication tool for integrating sustainability into existing buildings
• Ongoing participation on various government steering committees and consultations; and
• Continued discussions between all members and development of joint understandings of the potential for sustainability initiatives in the built environment.

Previous activities have included extensive research into:

• the building sector’s potential to reduce GHG emissions
• the development of policy options to accelerate their uptake
• the development of a business case for sustainable development, and
• research for the Australian Building Codes Board on materials, water and Indoor Environment Quality

and invitations to participate in committees such as:

• the NABERS Stakeholder Advisory Committee,
• the Garnaut Climate Change Review Roundtable on energy efficiency,
• the COAG National Strategy for Energy Efficiency, and
• the Built Environment Industry Innovation Council Stakeholder Forum.

“Through its membership of ASBEC, FMA Australia, along with other key industry stakeholders, is afforded an enviable opportunity to make a positive and timely contribution to Australia’s sustainability agenda. The role of ASBEC and its members is pivotal in ensuring that governments, decision makers and the community are informed with the latest research aimed at introducing greater energy efficiency practices and resultant greenhouse gas reduction overall.”
David Duncan | Chief Executive Officer
Facility Management Association of Australia

Image courtesy of Dan