23 November 2023

Recent research published by ASBEC confirms that 100% electrification is the lowest cost, fastest emissions reduction pathway for Australia’s built environment.

Given the need for urgent action on climate change, ASBEC strongly supports the phase out of fossil gas and the rapid scale up of electrification of Australia’s residential and commercial buildings. We also note that this transition to a decarbonised built environment needs to be delivered in a just and equitable way.

Noting that the first two strategic priorities of the Future Gas Strategy are to support the decarbonisation of the Australian economy and to promote Australia’s energy security and affordability, and the recognition in the consultation paper that reducing domestic gas demand faster than supply will go a long way to meeting these objectives, ASBEC recommends the Department for Industry, Science and Resources consider the following priorities as part of its Future Gas Strategy delivery:

• Ensure alignment with sectoral pathways to be developed as part of the 2050 Net Zero Plan and 2035 emission reduction targets, as well as the National Energy Performance Strategy.
• Introduce a national plan with ambitious but achievable timeframes to phase out fossil gas in existing buildings and appliances.
• Provide national certainty that all new residential and commercial buildings will be fully electrified and operate on high-quality electric equipment by 2025 (e.g. via the Built Environment Sectoral Plan, Trajectory for Low Energy Buildings, the National Construction Code and other jurisdictional specific planning policy mechanisms).
• Ensure any regulatory mechanism introduced to manage a national electrification program considers a “least cost” approach and prioritises energy efficiency as a first step in the electrification process.
• Urgently grow skills and market readiness for electrification.
• Demonstrate strong leadership in Australian Government commitments to transition away from fossil gas use.

Read more here.

The Australian Sustainable Built Environment Council (ASBEC) is committed to improving gender equality across the construction industry. ASBEC, with assistance from the NSW Government’s Women in Construction Industry Innovation Program (IIP) Grant, is proud to champion the ASBEC Women in Construction Future Leaders Pilot.

The ASBEC Women in Construction Future Leaders Pilot seeks to promote gender diversity within the construction sector to create lasting transformative change.

Increasing leadership and participation of women in Australia’s construction sector is fundamental to our clean energy economy transition. We want to leverage the power of ASBEC’s collective knowledge and expertise on diversity and inclusion programs, so that we can accelerate efforts to improve female retention and increase leadership participation for women in all parts of the built environment sector.

Read our Scoping Study and Survey Findings here.

20 October 2023

The Australian Sustainable Built Environment Council (ASBEC) welcomes the opportunity to provide a response to the National Housing and Homelessness Plan Issues Paper. Australia is currently facing major housing affordability and supply challenges which are placing large numbers of people into housing stress, insecurity, and homelessness. While all levels of governments have taken significant action to address housing supply, affordability, and the delivery of social and affordable housing, more needs to be done to improve housing outcomes for Australians.

ASBEC commends the Australian Government’s commitment to developing a National Housing and Homelessness Plan that acknowledges relevant state policies and programs to avoid duplication, while identifying gaps and setting out shared national policy objectives for the future. We agree that what is needed is a national plan that will complement, rather than replace, existing jurisdictional plans.

To help achieve this ASBEC recommends that the Department for Social Services works closely with other relevant government departments and ministers, such as Department for Industry, Science and Resources, Department for Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water, and the Department of Infrastructure, Transport and Regional Development etc., as well as their equivalents at State and Territory level to ensure consistent policies that support the ambitions of a secure and sustainable housing future for all Australians and to ensure consistency of response and accountability for implementation. We also note that communication and engagement is also required with industry and community throughout the process.

Read the full submission here

29 September 2023

The Australian Sustainable Built Environment Council (ASBEC) welcomes the Senate Economics Reference Committee’s Inquiry into Australia’s Residential Electrification Efforts. Currently buildings account for over 50% of electricity use in Australia and almost a quarter of its emissions. Of this, residential buildings are responsible for almost half, with around 24% of overall electricity use and more than 10% of total carbon emissions.

Noting that urgent action on climate change is required, ASBEC strongly supports the phase out of fossil gas use and the rapid scale up of electrification of Australia’s residential and commercial buildings. We also note that this transition to a decarbonised built environment needs to be delivered in a just and equitable way.

ASBEC and its members call upon the Australian Government to adopt the following immediate priorities, which are supported by a broad coalition across the sector:

1. Introduce a national plan with ambitious but achievable timeframes to phase out fossil gas in existing buildings and appliances.
2. Any regulatory mechanism introduced to manage a national electrification program should consider a “least cost” approach and prioritise energy efficiency as a first step in the electrification process.
3. Provide national certainty that all new residential and commercial buildings will be fully electrified and operate on high-quality electric equipment by 2025 (e.g. via the Built Environment Sectoral Plan, Trajectory for Low Energy Buildings, the National Construction Code and other jurisdictional specific planning policy mechanisms).
4. Develop a strategy for quality deep retrofits for both existing residential and commercial buildings that prioritises low-income and vulnerable households.
5. Urgently grow skills and market readiness for electrification.

Read more here.

12 September 2023

ASBEC urges the ACT Government to seize the unique opportunity presented by the development and delivery of the Integrated Energy Plan to transform the built environment to dramatically reduce the demand for energy in highly cost-effective ways that will also stimulate the economy.

Energy efficiency matters to the electrification agenda. A wealth of literature supports a “fabric first” approach to energy efficiency, in which the building does the hard work rather than bolt-on energy devices. Improvements to energy efficiency can decrease the space requirements and size of equipment, minimise the need for purchased energy, and enable a higher share of operational costs to be covered by rooftop photovoltaics.

Read more here.

31 July 2023

ASBEC has a longstanding focus on cities, infrastructure and urban‐scale policy to support a sustainable, liveable and resilient built environment. We have an interest in ensuring both private and publicly funded health infrastructure is responsive, integrated, sustainable and climate resilient. We also strongly believe that the built environment is key to ensuring communities are supported to take action against the health and wellbeing impacts of climate change.

ASBEC recommends the following priorities be considered as part of the National Health and Climate Strategy:

1. Commit to achieving applying trusted, robust and credible building rating systems such as Green Star and NABERS in all new healthcare facilities and existing assets.
2. Leverage the government’s strong market presence to deliver better-performing, resilient buildings, achieve emissions reduction targets and encourage a decarbonised supply chain.
3. Recognise and educate the community that efficient, electrified homes are healthier, comfortable, and more resilient to the impacts of heat stress.

Read more here.

18 July 2023

ASBEC has a longstanding focus on cities, infrastructure and urban‐scale policy to support a sustainable, liveable and resilient built environment. We have an interest in ensuring government‐funded infrastructure supports developing Australian industry capabilities and Australian jobs, as well as integrated, sustainable and climate‐resilient economic and social infrastructure.

ASBEC recommends the following principles be considered when assessing projects for ongoing federal investment:

1. Utilise the existing frameworks from Infrastructure Australia to help aid decision making.
2. Ensure the project prioritisation process aligns with achieving emission reduction targets and addressing climate risk.
3. Focus on projects that will deliver better outcomes for the community and better value for money based on whole of life factors, including investment in operational maintenance programs and sustainability goals, underpinned by collaboration and innovation.

Read more here.

ASBEC members have long called for a strategic approach to ensure that Australia can transition towards a net zero economy to safeguard the nation’s ongoing prosperity and social viability. We have also worked consistently to advocate for sensible evidence-based energy performance standards, along with a forward trajectory of future targets for buildings, equipment and appliances.

Minimising energy demand growth through improvements in energy efficiency makes a critical contribution to emissions reduction. Many efficiency measures in industry, buildings, appliances and transport can be put into effect and scaled up very quickly. As a result, energy efficiency measures play a significant role in curbing energy demand and emissions in the period to 2030. Low energy buildings can provide great outcomes in terms of reducing energy bills and emissions, whilst also delivering much more. More energy efficient buildings offer more resilience to extreme weather, improve occupant comfort and health, and reduce stress on the electricity grid.

The National Energy Performance Strategy presents an opportunity to deliver a governance framework, resources, information and processes to evaluate the optimal mix of demand-side and supply-side measures. It can also be the catalyst Australia needs to integrate energy governance and accountability across a range of sectors, portfolios and levels of government.

ASBEC urges the Australian Government to seize the unique opportunity the built environment offers to dramatically reduce the demand for energy in highly cost-effective ways that will also stimulate the economy. We recognise that, while this ambitious program will require long term effort, a focus is required on immediate priorities that will set the strategy up for continuing success.

We look forward to a long-term collaborative relationship with all spheres of government towards improving energy performance across the economy.

Read our full submission here

A report from the Australian Sustainable Built Environment Council (ASBEC) confirms 100% electrification is the lowest cost, fastest emissions reduction pathway for Australia’s built environment.

Unlocking the pathway: Why electrification is the key to net zero buildings, finds electrification would save $49 billion between 2024 and 2050 over the ‘business as usual’ strategy of electrification, gas and offsets. It would also save 199 Mt Co2-e before offsets.

ASBEC’s report, an output of the Rapid and Least Cost Decarbonisation of the Built Environment project, is backed by a building-level technical report by DeltaQ and modelling of least-cost decarbonisation options by SPR.

SPR modelled three ‘plausible but divergent’ decarbonisation scenarios: 100% electrification; a combination of electrification and green hydrogen; and a ‘base case’, representing ‘business as usual’ of electrification, fossil gas, green hydrogen and carbon offsets.

This report finds 100% electrification is the lowest cost option to decarbonise our built environment – but lowest cost does not mean no cost. Our detailed analysis by building type, geography and lifecycle reveals that electrification, while necessary, is not always cost-beneficial. Failing to acknowledge and address these costs will significantly impede the transition to net zero building operations.

Download ASBEC’s Media Release

Read ASBEC’s Unlocking the Pathway: Why electrification is the key to net zero buildings summary report

Read the building-level technical report

Read the modelling of least-cost decarbonisation options report

In late September 2022, ASBEC’s Sustainable Housing Task Group produced a policy paper to outline the benefits of a national framework for disclosure of energy performance at sale or lease.

Making homes more efficient presents a win‐win‐win opportunity. Efficiency cuts household energy costs and makes homes healthier and more comfortable to live in particularly in extreme weather events like heatwaves. It also offers low‐cost emissions reductions and reduces stress on the electricity network in peak periods, which in turn reduces the need for costly network infrastructure upgrades.

The performance gap between new and existing homes is growing ever larger. And given that low income and vulnerable households are more likely to live in older and less efficient housing, the poor quality of our existing housing stock has significant implications for worsening social equity, and our ability to protect vulnerable people from the impacts of climate change. There is an urgent need to turn our attention to the policy levers that will drive large scale improvements in our existing homes, leveraging private as well as public investment.

Australia has an established, nationally consistent disclosure scheme for commercial office and apartment common areas, but lacks one for detached houses and sole‐occupancy unit apartments – the majority of Australia’s housing stock. This means that most homeowners, prospective homebuyers and tenants lack easily comparable information about the energy performance, ongoing energy costs and comfort of their home.

A single energy performance rating and disclosure framework, consistently applied across jurisdictions, will reduce complexity and confusion for industry and provide clear, reliable and consistent information for consumers. National consistency will enhance credibility and encourage uptake, which in turn will raise public awareness of energy efficiency and increase the likelihood of investment in energy performance upgrades.

ASBEC’s Sustainable Housing Task Group proposes a series of priorities for an effective disclosure framework – read more here.

ASBEC has released a Discussion Paper as a contribution to the ongoing national conversation about the critical role of the built environment in delivering Australia’s net zero emissions by 2050 target.

While there is widespread support among Australia’s largest property companies to decarbonise building operations and tackle climate change, more analysis and guidance is needed on the least-cost pathways to deliver on these ambitions across the sector.

The “Rapid and Least Cost Decarbonisation of Building Operations” project aims to create resources for industry and government that set out the decarbonisation options available to building owners, managers and developers, and the likely take up of those options in various scenarios over time.

For possibly the first time, scenarios that combine actions at the building level coupled with strategies to decarbonise energy supply to achieve net zero will be explored together. The project encompasses new and existing, commercial and residential buildings.

This discussion paper is a first step to engaging the broad group of stakeholders that will contribute to Australia’s built environment achieving net zero operational emissions.

A consultation period was held over February and May 2022, yielding a rich body of submissions from diverse stakeholders.

Stakeholder feedback will shape further analysis and modelling, with the final report providing:

• A detailed inventory of operational emissions (scope 1 and scope 2) in residential and commercial buildings
• A detailed characterisation of decarbonisation options available to building owners, and the internal costs, benefits and barriers associated with each option
• Modelling which considers the likely take up of decarbonisation options in at least three divergent scenarios for decarbonisation of fuel sources (including electricity, gas, biofuels and hydrogen)
• Analysis of implications for industry and government.

A free webinar hosted by the Green Building Council of Australia was held on 8 March 2022 providing an opportunity to hear directly from the consultants leading the project and join the conversation.

Support for this project is being provided by consultants Strategy Policy Research (SPR), DeltaQ and Watt Advocacy & Communications. Project funding has been provided by the Australian Government Department of Industry, Science, Energy & Resources (DISER) and NSW Government Department of Planning, Industry & Environment (DPIE).

Download the Rapid and Least Cost Decarbonisation of Building Operations Discussion Paper here

A coalition of major industry bodies has called on governments across Australia to ‘get smart’ in the push towards net zero emissions by making smart energy investments – in energy efficiency, renewable energy, and demand management – in government facilities.

The Australian Sustainable Built Environment Council, Energy Efficiency Council, Green Building Council of Australia and Property Council of Australia released a new report that sets out how governments can slash emissions while strengthening the budget bottom line by focusing on smart energy management.

Energy Efficiency Council CEO Luke Menzel said the time was right for governments to lead by example in pursuit of net zero.

“All levels of government are backing in net zero emissions by 2050. Some state governments have ambitious 2030 targets. However, governments still have a huge opportunity to lead by example, cutting energy waste, saving taxpayer dollars and slashing emissions through smart energy management.

“There are big opportunities for energy performance improvements in schools, hospitals and other public facilities right around the country. But without focus, and follow through from government, they will get left on the table,” said Menzel.

The report – Smart energy management in government operations – finds that governments can reduce energy use in facilities by 30 per cent or more and outlines the steps governments need to take to scale up energy management programs in their own operations, saving hundreds of millions of dollars each year.

Prof. Ken Maher AO, President of the Australian Sustainable Built Environment Council, said government leadership is crucial. “Governments have a huge opportunity to lead in this space and send a clear signal to industry by demonstrating what’s achievable. This is the kind of leadership we need to achieve our decarbonisation commitments.”

Davina Rooney, CEO of Green Building Council of Australia, said governments have the opportunity to take early action to reduce emissions this decade. “If we’re going to hit our net zero target for 2050, that means we need net zero operational emissions in buildings by 2030. That’s why a guide like this is so important in providing the ‘how’, now that we’ve all agreed on the ‘why’.”

Ken Morrison, Chief Executive of the Property Council of Australia, said driving energy efficiency improvements in government operations is fundamental to governments achieving their net zero aspirations: “Walking the walk within the property space that government occupies is so important, and energy efficiency is the foundation.”

Download the Smart energy management in government operations guide here

COP26, the UN’s global climate change conference, is due to be held in Glasgow in early November 2021. Many believe the event to be the world’s last best chance for climate action; 190 world leaders will discuss what needs to be done on top of the Paris Climate Agreement reached at COP21 in 2015.

Buildings account for over 50% of electricity use in Australia and almost a quarter of its emissions. The built environment presents some of the lowest cost – and largely untapped – emissions reduction opportunities.

The Australian Sustainable Built Environment Council (ASBEC), as the peak body of key organisations committed to a sustainable, productive, resilient built environment in Australia, urges the federal government to seize the unique opportunity the built environment offers to dramatically reduce carbon emissions in highly cost-effective ways that will also stimulate the economy.

In this policy platform for COP26, ASBEC recommends five practical policies across residential, commercial and public buildings that should be implemented by federal government to drive emissions reduction:

1. Give households the energy performance information they need to achieve
   healthy, affordable, comfortable homes
2. Demonstrate government leadership through high performing government
   buildings
3. Position Australia as a global leader in high performance building products and
   technologies
4. Provide economic stimulus by incentivising building upgrades
5. Deliver a Net Zero Carbon Ready building code and pathways to decarbonise
   building operations

ASBEC and its members call upon the Australian Government to adopt these practical recommendations. We look forward to working collaboratively with all spheres of government, towards facilitating the transition of Australia’s building sector towards an economy for the future. This will be critical in improving and sustaining the future liveability, productivity and sustainability of our communities and cities and pave the way for Australia to make a meaningful and successful contribution to COP26 discussions.

Download Five ways the built environment can help Australia transition to a net zero future here

ASBEC has consulted with representatives from featured standards and rating organisations to develop a new summary document outlining the various built environment sustainability frameworks commonly used in Australia. The Ratings Snapshot can be used for advocacy purposes, aiming to assist policy makers in navigating the most commonly encountered frameworks at a state, national and international level.

The Ratings Snapshot provides a brief outline of key objectives, scope, governance and assessment processes of different rating tools. A brief overview of worldwide tools is also included.

Given the ever-evolving nature of these tools, this document reflects a point in time and is not designed as a comprehensive compendium of all sustainability rating tools. Rather, it is intended as a means to assist stakeholders who may be less familiar with the Australian built environment sustainability rating landscape.

Download the Ratings Snapshot here

A broad coalition of insulation, building and energy efficiency organisations has released a joint Roadmap for quality control and safety in insulation installation. The roadmap sets out a series of actions to ensure that insulation is installed following best practice processes for quality control and safety.

Insulation is an essential component of a healthy, comfortable building. Adequate insulation can increase thermal comfort, lower heating and cooling bills, and reduce the prevalence of illness and death. Insulation needs to be properly installed in order to deliver its full value in both existing and new buildings.

The roadmap includes actions that industry commits to undertake, and recommendations for actions by governments and other organisations.

The roadmap sets out actions that include:

• Information and guidelines;
• Training and accreditation;
• Requirements for insulation installations supported by governments;
• Compliance associated with new buildings and major renovations; and
• Moving beyond an insulation-only approach.

The roadmap draws on the report “Ensuring quality control and safety in insulation installation”, which was written by the Energy Efficiency Council and ASBEC, and was jointly funded by the Government of New South Wales, the Government of Victoria, Insulation Australasia and the Insulation Council of Australian and New Zealand.

Download the report here.

The Australian Sustainable Built Environment Council (ASBEC) and Energy Efficiency Council have launched a research report on quality control and safety in the installation of insulation in Australian buildings.

Insulation Australasia, the Insulation Council of Australia and New Zealand (ICANZ), the Government of New South Wales and the Government of Victoria commissioned the Energy Efficiency Council and ASBEC to engage with experts around Australia, in order to identify options to ensure that insulation is installed in Australia in a manner that is safe and delivers quality outcomes.

This Research Report sets out the findings and recommendations of the Project Team to ensure that insulation is installed following appropriate quality-control and safety processes. These recommendations take into account considerable input from experts in a broad range of fields, including policy makers, insulation manufacturers, insulation installers, the construction industry and experts in building design and sustainability.

The Research Report will be used to inform the development of a short ‘Industry-led Insulation Roadmap’ that aims to facilitate actions from industry, government and the community that will ensure that insulation is installed following appropriate quality-control and safety processes. An industry-led approach will ensure that the roadmap is supported by the best available information and will ensure that each party (industry, government and community) plays the role that they are best suited to undertake.

This research report was only possible with considerable input from experts in a broad range of fields, including policy makers, insulation manufacturers, insulation installers, the construction industry and experts in building design and sustainability. However, the recommendations in the report are the view of the project team at Energy Efficiency Council and ASBEC, and do not necessarily represent the views of any expert with which we consulted.

Download the Research Report here

Non-compliance and under-compliance undermines the rights of building purchasers and occupants who are not receiving what they are legally entitled to receive under the Code, and provides an unfair advantage to operators who cut corners over those who meet required standards. This issue must be addressed as a matter of urgency if a zero carbon built environment is to be achieved by 2050.

ASBEC members strongly support the recommendations in the Building Confidence report (BCR), authored by Peter Shergold and Bronwyn Wier. We commend the establishment of the Australian Building Code Board (ABCB) Compliance Taskforce and BCR Implementation team to advance the BCR recommendations and welcome industry involvement in informing the work of this Taskforce and Implementation team as it relates to the sustainability and energy efficiency provisions in the National Construction Code.

We are strongly committed to supporting compliance with the sustainability and energy efficiency provisions in the National Construction Code, to ensure the provisions in the Code are delivered cost-effectively, holistically and in a harmonised way across Australia. Our efforts will be to work with State and Territory governments to ensure the work undertaken by the BCR Implementation team is fully adopted and implemented at a State and Territory level, whilst ensuring streamlined regulatory outcomes.

ASBEC’s Policy Response addresses the BCR recommendations, with a specific focus on sustainability and energy efficiency.

Download the Policy Response here.

Download ASBEC’s media release here.

The property and construction sector is playing a key role in the post-pandemic recovery of our economy and communities. Being one of the largest employers in Australia and a key contributor to our national GDP, the sector is well positioned to achieve immediate impacts in terms of jobs creation and industry support, while addressing our most pressing construction related needs.

At the same time, buildings present a significant – and largely untapped – opportunity for an energy efficiency driven rebound. As governments move to mobilise the sector, support for energy efficient buildings can provide an effective boost of economic activity and increased labour demand, while delivering on a number of policy objectives. Benefits range from labour intensive projects that are rooted in local supply chains to improved energy affordability for consumers, reduced stress on the electricity network and a least cost pathway to decarbonisation.

We urge Australian governments to fund a major overhaul of the building sector to reignite the economy:

1. Improve the comfort and performance of residential homes through targeted equipment upgrades and incentives for deeper retrofits, with a priority for social housing and low income and vulnerable households
2. Drive commercial building upgrades through tax incentives and establish a ‘Smart Building Fund’ to support mid-tier building owners to rate and guide the upgrade of their buildings
3. Embark on an ambitious program to upgrade schools and hospitals and other government owned and occupied buildings with the Commonwealth committing to match funding from state and territory governments up to $150m in each jurisdiction
4. Empower building owners, buyers and renters with a single national rating scheme for home energy performance and prioritise its development in line with the recent recommendations from the King Review
5. Undertake a rapid review of skills needs around energy efficiency, and roll out priority measures to support workers transitioning from other sectors

Download the report here

Download the media release here

Accelerating Australia’s transition to sustainable housing could both protect the home building sector, as well as spur growth in delivering more than half a billion dollars of additional investment in the construction industry by 2030 and create over 7,000 new jobs. It would also save Australians $600 million on their energy bills.

We have the skills, knowledge and technologies at our disposal. Now we must create the right policies and incentives to help Australian consumers capture the benefits of sustainable homes.

Tomorrow’s Homes outlines the key actions required to deliver a transition to better homes for all Australians:

1. National leadership
2. Benchmarking and upskilling
3. Building a foundation of leading homes
4. Engaging consumers
5. Leveraging finance

Read Tomorrow’s Homes here

Read the media release here

Around 70% of Australia’s emissions are associated with infrastructure projects, according to the issues paper published in partnership by the Infrastructure Sustainability Council of Australia (ISCA), ClimateWorks Australia and the Australian Sustainable Built Environment Council (ASBEC).

The Issues Paper: Reshaping Infrastructure for a net zero emissions future is designed to progress a new conversation to better understand the challenges and opportunities in reshaping transport, energy, water, communications and waste infrastructure for a net zero emissions world. It is the first step in a broader effort to reshape Australia’s infrastructure agenda and makes the case for why emissions reductions should be prioritised in infrastructure advice and decisions today.

In the coming months, ISCA, ClimateWorks and ASBEC will begin engaging with infrastructure advisors, governments, investors, construction companies and other key stakeholders and decision-makers, from infrastructure advice and government frameworks and policies through to individual projects. The outcomes of these conversations will be brought together in a synthesis report that recommends next steps.

Download the Issues Paper – Reshaping Infrastructure for a net zero emissions future 

Download media release

Every Building Counts: A practical plan for emissions reduction, sets out a clear pathway to achieve net zero carbon buildings by 2030.

Authored by the Green Building Council of Australia and the Property Council of Australia, Every Building Counts contains 75 recommendations, in a comprehensive assessment of what is measures are required to improve energy performance for specific types of building, including commercial, residential and government, as well as what works across all building types.

The seven key recommendations in the report are:

1. Set out a long term vision for net zero buildings and extend the ‘Trajectory for Low Energy Buildings’ to 2050
2. Ensure the Climate Solutions Fund drives low cost abatement and provide targeted financial incentives
3. Deliver a Zero Carbon Ready building code and improve enforcement and compliance
4. Expand the mandate of the Energy Security Board to drive energy productivity across the economy
5. Deliver City Deals that drive cost effective emissions reductions
6. Empower buyers and renters with a single national rating scheme for home energy performance

Every Building Counts was sponsored by the CRC for Low Carbon Living and supported by steering group partners ASBEC and the Energy Efficiency Council.  It is available at www.everybuildingcounts.com.au.

Read ASBEC’s Media Release

Sustainable homes require less energy to heat and cool, enhance occupant health and comfort and are more resilient to climate and weather extremes.  They can also be a driver for economic growth.

Accelerating Australia’s transition to sustainable housing could deliver more than half a billion dollars of additional investment in the construction industry by 2030 and create over 7,000 new jobs. It would also save Australians $600 million on their energy bills.

ASBEC and the CRC for Low Carbon Living have developed Growing the market for sustainable homes – a roadmap outlining four steps to build momentum:

• differentiate sustainable housing in the market
• train and reward the construction industry
• build awareness
• broadcast the positive business case

Growing the Market for Sustainable Homes: Industry Roadmap presents a win for builders, consumers, the economy and the environment.

Read Growing the Market for Sustainable Homes: Industry Roadmap 

Read the ASBEC and CRC for Low Carbon Living media release

The amenity, functioning and vitality of our cities are fundamental to the wellbeing of our communities, and the prosperity of our nation.  Sustainable cities save money, are more liveable, and result in healthier citizens.

ASBEC calls on all federal elected representatives to commit to a shared long-term vision for stronger, thriving cities, supported by targeted policy measures. This policy platform identifies reforms that are needed at a national level to deliver broad and impactful outcomes for Australian cities:

1. Invest in improved policy and governance, including a National Settlement Strategy, continuous improvement of city funding programs and better procurement.
2. Deliver more balanced business cases to realise better value from our infrastructure investments.
3. Improve housing outcomes for more affordable, equitable and sustainable living.
4. Adopt key recommendations of Building Up and Moving Out.

The realisation of these reforms will depend on visionary leadership, coordination across all spheres of government, and effective engagement with communities, industry and business.

Read Thriving Cities

Read ASBEC’s Media Release

In July 2018, the Australian Sustainable Built Environment Council (ASBEC) and ClimateWorks Australia released Built to Perform – An industry led pathway to a zero carbon ready building code, the report for the Building Code Energy Performance Trajectory Project.

New buildings in the Northern Australia region present unique opportunities and challenges, due to factors including a warmer and more humid climate, different construction materials and climate-responsive design practices.

Built to Perform in Northern Australia is an addendum report, which sets out potential energy performance targets in the National Construction Code specific to Queensland, Northern Territory and Northern Western Australia’s unique climates.  This report shows that a stringent National Construction Code with stronger energy performance targets would reduce emissions and power bills for buildings in Northern Australia.

Read Built to Perform in Northern Australia

Read the Building Code Energy Performance Trajectory Technical Report – Northern Australia 

Read the ASBEC and ClimateWorks media release.

Built to Perform: An Industry Led Pathway to a Zero Carbon Ready Building Code, prepared by the Australian Sustainable Built Environment Council (ASBEC) and ClimateWorks Australia, calls for a ‘Zero Carbon Ready’ building code.

Improved energy performance of buildings presents a win-win-win opportunity, reducing stress on the electricity network, offering bill savings, supporting a least-cost pathway to a zero carbon built environment, and improving health and resilience outcomes for households and businesses.

The National Construction Code is a ready-made policy instrument to influence the operational energy use of new buildings and major renovations. The Code regulates the building ‘envelope’ and fixed equipment, including heating and cooling equipment, lighting and hot water.

Built to Perform shows that setting strong energy standards for new buildings in the Code could, between now and 2050, reduce energy bills by up to $27 billion, cut energy network costs by up to $12.6 billion and deliver at least 78 million tonnes of cumulative emissions savings.

This report was produced with the generous support of the Cooperative Research Centre for Low Carbon Living, the RACV and dozens of building industry and government partners. The project has been delivered in partnership with CSIRO, Energy Action (EA), Strategy. Policy. Research. (SPR) and the Sustainable Buildings Research Centre at the University of Wollongong (UOW).

Read Built to Perform: An Industry Led Pathway to a Zero Carbon Ready Building Code. 

Read the CRC for Low Carbon Living SP0016: Final Building Code Energy Performance Trajectory Final Technical Report  

Read the ASBEC and ClimateWorks media release.

The Building Code Energy Performance Trajectory Project is an industry-led initiative seeking improvements to the energy requirements in the National Construction Code. This Interim Report – The Bottom Line – household impacts of delaying improved energy requirements in the Building Code – presents preliminary results, focusing on short-term improvements to residential requirements.

Improved building energy performance presents a win-win-win solution, reducing stress on the electricity network and support a least-cost pathway to decarbonisation while also deliver cost savings to households and businesses. Improvements to the Code can have a large impact because new construction adds up fast: More than half of the buildings expected to be standing in 2050 will be built after the next update of the Code in 2019.

The results of this report show:

• There are immediate and cost-effective opportunities to improve energy efficiency requirements in the Code. Reducing air leakage is a major opportunity for most building types assessed, along with ceiling fans and roof insulation in some cases. Across a range of climate zones and building types, these measures could individually deliver energy bill savings up to $150 per year.
• Combined, cost-effective measures could reduce energy consumption for heating and cooling by up to 51 per cent across a range of housing types and climates. This is equivalent to between 1 and 2.5 stars on the NatHERS scheme. In most jurisdictions, implementing these improvements would mean setting minimum requirements at the equivalent of 7 star NatHERS or higher.
• Implementing these opportunities across projected new buildings and renovations could deliver an estimated 10.8 million tonnes of cumulative emissions reductions to 2050, approximately equivalent to the annual emissions of the Loy Yang B coal power station and mine.
• Just three years delay could lock in an estimated $1.1 billion in wasted energy bills from these homes out to 2050, and 3 million tonnes of additional emissions.
• A high level assessment of rooftop solar PV indicates that it is now more financially attractive than most of the efficiency opportunities assessed, although it does not deliver a range of other benefits provided by energy efficiency.

A Final Report will be published in mid-2018 focused on the establishment of a long-term trajectory for Code energy requirements for both residential and non-residential buildings.

Read The Bottom Line – household impacts of delaying improved energy requirements in the Building Code.

Read the CRC for Low Carbon Living SP1006: Building Code Energy Performance Trajectory Interim Technical Report 

Read the ASBEC and ClimateWorks media release.

The Green Building Council of Australia with the Property Council of Australia, Australian Institute of Refrigeration, Air Conditioning and Heating (AIRAH), Energy Efficiency Council, Facilities Management Association of  Australia, City of Sydney, City of Melbourne and CitySwitch have produced a policy framework addressing the potential opportunities presented by increasing the energy efficiency requirements for mid-tier buildings. The policy framework, Opportunity knocks: Accelerating energy efficiency for mid-tier buildings, quantifies the number of mid-tier buildings as accounting for about 80% of office buildings and 50% of floor space in Australia.

Noting the good alignment with the recommendations in Low Carbon, High Performance, ASBEC has adopted this policy, which outlines five immediate actions for governments:

1. Reduce the threshold required to disclose the energy performance of buildings
2. Expand disclosure requirements to new sectors with a focus on tenants
3. Support business through targeted tax incentives for building upgrades
4. Governments to lead by example through higher efficiency requirements for their own tenancies and offices
5. Invest in research to improve our understanding of energy opportunities across the building sector

Download here.

Traditionally infrastructure projects have been valued and assessed using methods which often do not best leverage all benefits and opportunities, or fully evaluate all costs. In addition, it has been quite common for infrastructure project proposals to be poorly communicated to the wider community, eroding social and political license and capital.

In this context, and as government policy attempts to meet the challenges of population growth, climate and demographic change, constrained budgets and funding challenges, the role of broader cost benefit analysis and business case assessment is increasingly coming under scrutiny.

ASBEC held a series of roundtable discussions in Sydney, Brisbane, Melbourne, Canberra and Perth from 2016-2017, with over 50 key decision makers from across government departments, agencies and industry.  Participants were asked to share their views on the challenges associated with developing business cases for infrastructure projects across Australia. These discussions facilitated a range of views on the opportunities for government to support policy reform that would deliver better business cases, and ultimately better infrastructure and improved outcomes for the tax payer.

The findings from these discussions, presented in Bang for Buck – Delivering better business cases to realise more value from our infrastructure investments, provide a rare insight across all levels of government across Australia as to what practical interventions can be delivered today and in the longer-term to achieve a better bang for our buck from our infrastructure spend.

Bang for Buck outlines a powerful case for reform across four broad areas of focus:

1. Leading with bipartisan vision across all levels of government
2. Improving infrastructure decision making
3. Understanding the method (and the madness) of business case development
4. Engaging the public in the benefits of their infrastructure investment

Read Bang for Buck – Delivering better business cases to realise more value from our infrastructure investments.

Read the ASBEC Media Release.

Housing affordability is defined and measured in a variety of ways. For ASBEC, affordability means enabling people to make a housing choice that suits their needs within their available budget – regardless of whether it involves renting, ownership or having options as they age.

Housing is integral to health, wellbeing and economic outcomes for all Australians. Housing policy has a significant effect on the lives of Australians, because it influences the connectivity and proximity of housing to other land uses, including transport, employment, community services such as hospitals and schools, and recreational activities. It is also a significant contributor to economic activity, being responsible for many thousands of jobs both directly and indirectly.

To support affordable living outcomes, housing policy must promote the provision of diverse dwellings to cater for needs at all stages of life, and encourage density in the right places, with improved access to jobs and services. This requires:

• Long term alignment between population growth and housing supply, with periodic targets integrated into adopted planning policy.
• Strategic planning for accessible centres to link residential concentrations with jobs and services, reducing the costs of transport and vulnerability to social exclusion.Cost effective and timely delivery of urban infrastructure integrated with strategic planning, including: public transport, roads, community facilities and utilities for greenfield and urban infill areas.
• The adoption of best practice design principles to functionally enhance the sustainability and resilience of the built environment, with high quality urban design ensuring creating a sense of place.
• Improved sustainability of buildings, including minimum standards for the energy performance of new and existing buildings, which recognise whole of life costs.
• Continuous reform of land use planning and processes, to encourage supply of diverse housing where it ensures equivalent incentives for detached dwellings and a diversity of medium density housing types that promote design quality and sustainability.
• Ensuring the market operates efficiently to supply housing for all market segments, including the availability of housing stock that meets the needs of very low to moderate income earners.
• Regulatory frameworks that encourage innovation and efficiencies in the housing supply chain, such as modular construction, pre-fabrication and bringing new products to market more cost efficiently.

Read Improved Housing Outcomes – for more affordable, sustainable living.

Read the ASBEC Media Release.

A new project led by the Australian Sustainable Built Environment Council (ASBEC) and ClimateWorks Australia will develop a long-term industry-led vision for how the National Construction Code can deliver energy and emissions savings alongside financial benefits for building owners and occupants.

The Building Code Energy Performance Trajectory Project: Issues Paper notes that buildings contribute more than half of our country’s electricity consumption and almost a quarter of emissions in Australia.  Energy requirements for new construction in building codes are key to driving energy and emissions outcomes.

This Issues Paper calls for input and feedback from industry, government and consumer stakeholders, to help ensure the project is useful, relevant and achieves its intended outcomes.

An interim report on project findings will be published in November 2017 and
a final report on cost benefit analyses and a policy pathway in March 2018.

Feedback is due via email by Friday 28 July 2017.

Read Building Code Energy Performance Trajectory Project: Issues Paper.

Read the ASBEC Media Release.

The Australian Government is reviewing its climate change policies to take stock of Australia’s progress in reducing emissions, and ensure the Government’s policies remain effective in achieving Australia’s 2030 target and Paris Agreement commitments.

Buildings are a major energy consumer and account for almost a quarter of total Australian emissions. The built environment provides a great opportunity in terms of implementing innovative low/zero carbon technology. ASBEC’s Low Carbon, High Performance outlines a clear policy roadmap for realising this opportunity.

Achieving a reduction in carbon emissions in the built environment and other high emitting sectors, however, requires a step-change approach through strong policies that will ensure alignment and coordination of regulatory frameworks at the Federal and State/Territory level to Australia’s Paris Commitment.

Read the full ASBEC submission here.

The Independent Review into the Future Security of the National Electricity Market, or Finkel Review, released a Preliminary Report in December 2016. The purpose of the Review is to advise the Government on a national reform blueprint for the National Electricity Market (NEM).

ASBEC has provided a submission to this review, noting the immense potential of the built environment to assist in harmonising and advancing the priorities of energy reliability, affordability and emissions reduction.

Implementation of an appropriate suite of policy measures could deliver almost $20 billion in financial savings by 2030, in addition to productivity benefits and improvements in quality of life for Australian businesses and households. Buildings could also meet over half of the national energy productivity target, and more than one quarter of the national emissions target.

The cost of inaction in the built environment could lead to over $24 billion in wasted energy and over 170 megatonnes of lost emission reduction opportunities, through lock-in of emissions intensive assets and equipment.

Read the full ASBEC submission here.

ASBEC has partnered with AECOM to produce three fact sheets for resilience in the built environment, focusing on cities, infrastructure and housing.

These fact sheets provide foundational resilience information to built environment decision makers, to help embed resilience thinking into their decision-making and begin a discussion with stakeholders and supply chains.

Media release

ASBEC Resilience Fact Sheets_Cities

ASBEC Resilience Fact Sheets_Housing

ASBEC Resilience Fact Sheets_Infrastructure

ASBEC has welcomed the Australian Government’s prioritisation of a Smart Cities policy, to be delivered by the Prime Minister, the Assistant Minister for Cities and Digital Transformation and the Cities Unit within the Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet.

Together with our members, ASBEC has advocated for leadership on cities since 2011. Our recent work includes Investing in Cities, a platform supporting the productivity, liveability, sustainability and resilience of our cities; and the Low Carbon, High Performance report which outlines the potential of the built environment to reduce Australia’s emissions.

The Smart Cities Plan reflects the principles highlighted in Investing in Cities, which outlines the economic, demographic, cultural and technological factors that together present a compelling case for a Commonwealth focus on cities.

Read submission.

The ASBEC National Construction Code Working Group was established to consider opportunities to improve Australia’s building energy performance standards and the National Construction Code (NCC).

This work is being undertaken through the Building Energy Performance Standards Project, the first stage of which (scoping) has been completed.

This stage involved a scoping workshop facilitated by ClimateWorks Australia in April 2016 and the production of this report, which outlines key issues and potential solutions.

Eleven key policy solutions were identified, six of which have been rated as ‘high’ priority. The next steps for ASBEC on these have been identified as:

• Undertaking further research where ASBEC is best placed to lead, in particular:
  • Development of a future trajectory for the minimum energy performance standards and improved upgrade process;
  • Collating existing research on residential stringency to reach agreement on a timeline for increasing the stringency for residential buildings;
• Coordination of industry input to existing ABCB processes leading up to the 2019 NCC, with a focus on:
  • Increasing the stringency of commercial building standards;
  • Introducing both whole-of-building and fabric-specific standards;
  • Implement as-built performance requirements;
• Advocacy in relation to the key solutions identified, including advocating for others to undertake further research, with a focus on improving State and Territory enforcement.

Building Energy Performance Scoping Workshop Outcomes report

As a signatory to the Paris Climate Change Agreement, Australia has committed to reaching net zero emissions by around 2050. Australia’s built environment contributes almost a quarter of Australia’s emissions, offering a significant opportunity for emissions reduction.

The Low Carbon, High Performance report provides detailed modelling of potential emissions reductions from the building sector, setting out a policy roadmap towards 2050.

Projected 2050 emissions from buildings can be reduced using existing technology, including energy efficiency measures; switching non-electric equipment and appliances to electricity; and greater use of solar photovoltaic panels.

Implementing all of the energy efficiency opportunities identified in this report could deliver over $20 billion in financial savings by 2030, in addition to productivity benefits and improvements in quality of life for Australian businesses and households.

The report identifies that government will need to support the building sector by:

• Developing a national plan with supporting policy frameworks and governance arrangements;
• Setting strong mandatory minimum standards for buildings, equipment and appliances;
• Using targeted incentives and programs to motivate and support higher performance;
• Reforming our energy market to ensure that it supports the roll-out of cost-effective energy efficiency and distributed energy improvements; and
• Rolling out a range of supporting data, information, training and education measures.

Implementing the recommendations in this plan is urgent. Just five years of delay could lead to over $24 billion in wasted energy costs and over 170 megatonnes of lost emission reduction opportunities through lock-in of emissions intensive assets and equipment.

Download ASBEC’s Media Release

Read ASBEC’s Low carbon, High Performance Summary report

Read ASBEC’s Low carbon, High Performance Full report

Also available: Report Appendices and ClimateWorks Modelling Assumptions

The Building Energy Performance Standards project Issues Paper is the first step in a three stage ‘Building Energy Performance Standards’ project led by ASBEC to drive improvements in the National Construction Code (NCC).

The project aims to:

1. Develop an industry-led vision for improving the energy performance requirements for both residential and commercial buildings in the Code, with a goal to provide certainty, foster innovation and deliver the benefits of rapidly improving energy technology and design approaches for Australia. Improvements may include:
   1. Increasing the minimum energy performance standards;
   2. Establishing a trajectory for future increases;
   3. Considering potential improvements to the design of the energy performance requirements that would make the Code simpler and more useful for design and construction professionals, and make compliance easier to monitor.
2. Seek implementation of this vision, including through co-ordination of the industry response to Code upgrade processes undertaken by the Australian Building Codes Board (ABCB) and other relevant government and industry processes. The ABCB has been consulted on this project and we understand it has space in its work plan for 2016/17 to undertake this work.

The Issues Paper sets out how the NCC currently operates and outlines a range of potential improvements. It is intended to support multi-stakeholder discussions taking place in 2016 to identify and progress potential improvements to the NCC.

Improvements to the NCC may be implemented through the Australian Building Codes Board (ABCB), through the Council of Australian Governments’ Building Ministers Forum or through other policy processes.  This project is intended to support and assist these government processes by coordinating industry and expert input.

Read the full ASBEC Building Energy Performance Standards Issues Paper.

ASBEC calls for a nationally consistent framework to assess the sustainability of residential buildings, set minimum standards, benchmark building performance, and communicate value.

This is intended to help homeowners to understand and value sustainability elements, and enable industry to deliver better quality, more sustainable products and services to renovators and homebuyers.

A single framework, consistently applied across jurisdictions, will reduce complexity and confusion for industry and consumers alike. This will result in better sustainability outcomes, and it will encourage continuous improvement and innovation.

ASBEC has identified three key elements of an effective framework

• Set minimum regulatory performance standards in new buildings for each of building energy, thermal comfort, water and other sustainability issues
• Provide benchmarks for market comparison of best practice sustainability performance; and
• Deliver communication messages explaining the value of sustainability features to renovators and homebuyers, including at point of sale and lease.

Any move to a nationally consistent framework will require coordination across all levels of government as well as with industry.  Key ASBEC recommendations for each of these stakeholders are;

Key recommendations for Governments

• Governments, in partnership with industry, explore improved minimum performance standards for new buildings covering building energy, thermal comfort, water efficiency, and other sustainability issues
• Governments implement nationally consistent requirements for determining the sustainability performance of housing in the National Construction Code to ensure requirements are harmonised across jurisdictions.
• Governments to work with industry to act on the findings of the National Energy Efficient Building Project to improve compliance with energy efficiency requirements in the National Construction Code, build skills and industry capacity and lower compliance costs

Key recommendations for Industry

• Industry, through ASBEC or a similar forum, establish voluntary benchmarks for best practice aligned to existing regulatory requirements
• Industry to develop an approach to increasing public awareness and understanding of the framework, and communicating the benefits of sustainable housing
• Industry to lead, in agreement with government, development of a pathway towards ratings disclosure at point of sale and lease, including a repository of rating information (compliance and performance) for rating re-use, analysis and communication of value

Read the full National Framework for Residential Ratings – Policy Platform

Further detail is provided in the National Framework for Residential Ratings – Discussion Paper

ASBEC recommends that proposed changes relating to energy efficiency provisions for residential buildings are removed from the draft NCC 2016, and that:

1. More rigorous modelling and further work is carried to ensure consistency of output under the proposed verification method;
2. There is a clearly identified and funded administrative function to oversee assessments under any new proposed verification method;
3. Thorough industry consultation is undertaken to ensure that the proposed changes are effective and policy neutral.

Read the full position paper here.

Australia is one of the world’s most urbanised countries. With our cities growing quickly, we need governments to deliver policies that maximise their value and protect the ‘liveability’ we are world-famous for.

ASBEC’s Investing in Cities: Prioritising a Cities and Urban Policy Framework for productivity, prosperity and a better standard of living calls for new investment in our cities recommending renewed action by all governments to increase the productivity, prosperity and liveability of Australia’s cities, and delivers clear next steps for all spheres of government.

The policy platform calls on the Federal Government to provide national leadership and coordination through a Minister for Cities, supporting urban infrastructure investment with state and territory governments delivering projects, planning, and measuring success through clear indicators. Local Government retains their critical link to meet the needs of their communities and deliver best practice design and sustainable local urban environments. A partnership with industry across government will support this policy, providing the expertise to identify best practice and implement it on the ground.

Read Investing in Cities: Prioritising a Cities and Urban Policy Framework for productivity, prosperity and a better standard of living.

Read the full ASBEC Media Release.

ASBEC recognises that the shift towards more sustainable and productive cities and regions must inherently be underpinned by more of the right infrastructure. That infrastructure must be delivered with a view to its long-term sustainability, and maximise productivity across  transport, water, electricity and telecommunications networks.

In October 2014, ASBEC held a half day workshop, hosted by Infrastructure Australia, to identify pathways to deliver the infrastructure we need to maximise national productivity and sustainability.  There were over 35 participants, representing key infrastructure and built environment peak bodies, infrastructure planning and funding authorities, institutional investors, infrastructure owner/operators, design and delivery organisations, government and academia.

The result was a shared perspective on a range of challenges and opportunities that currently inform the planning, design and delivery of infrastructure across Australia.

Australia faces a series of challenges in its current infrastructure planning process, including the politicisation of plans and decisions; funding and finance constraints, limited business case analysis, lack of foresight and resilience, a constrained tender and contract structure, and the increasing impact of community sentiment.

The approach to infrastructure planning outlined in this report responds to many of these challenges and opportunities and advocates for:

• A 30 Year Infrastructure Plan developed by Infrastructure Australia.
• Collaborative Stakeholder Engagement informing the design and delivery of the 30 Year Infrastructure Plan, founded in collaboration between community, industry and government.
• Five Pathways guiding the implementation of the plan through Engagement, Planning, Decision, Funding and Execution.

Read the full report here.

In 2012, ASBEC launched a Climate Change Adaptation Framework for the Built Environment, outlining a ten-point framework for the Australian Government to improve the resilience of our urban communities against extreme weather events and predicted future climate change.

This framework has been revised to address the the contribution that each sector in Australia can make.

The Built Environment Adaptation Framework outlines the ways that the Australian Government, state, territory and local governments, industry, academia and the community sector can deliver effective resilience and adaptation strategies through:

1. Cross-sector engagement
2. Leading by example
3. Sponsoring applied research
4. Providing better access to information and tools
5. Investing in education
6. Providing incentives
7. Reforming and improving regulation
8. Reviewing building codes and standards
9. Improving planning systems and outcomes
10. Improving insurance and financial services

Read the full cross sector Built Environment Adaptation-Framework.

An independent review of the Commercial Building Disclosure (CBD) Program is being undertaken, in order to assess the Program’s objectives, the effectiveness of the program in promoting energy efficiency and its interaction with the Emissions Reduction Fund.

The Review will provide recommendations on funding, governance, possible extension and “the merits of continuing the program or not, both in terms of the public interest as well as the private interest of property owners and tenants”.

ASBEC has adopted a high level position in support of the CBD and the National Australian Built Environment Rating System (NABERS) that supports this program.

The CBD Program facilitates transparency of energy efficiency information, using the robust NABERS methodology.  This is an important program that addresses the vast number of office accommodation in cities around Australia, using market forces to drive better performing, energy efficient buildings.

Raising awareness of a building’s performance creates a market incentive for tenants to look for higher-performing buildings and for building owners to upgrade stock.  This leads to improvements in energy efficiency, reductions in GHG emissions, improved industry capacity and can act as an ongoing industry stimulus.

ASBEC was involved in the development and launch of the initial NABERS program and we encourage the Government ensure the CBD Program is continued and improved, to ensure greater efficiency and effectiveness.

ASBEC notes that there are some differences at a technical level, including the tenancy lighting assessment, between industry stakeholders and encourages the Government to consult with individual professional and industry organisations to ensure that alignment can be found on these technical elements.

Click HERE to download ASBEC’s position on the CBD Program.

ASBEC has identified a number of areas associated with infrastructure project identification and appraisal which we strongly recommend be adopted to ensure that the most productive and sustainable projects are selected and progressed. This will also facilitate best practice in project sustainability governance.

The issues and recommendations are detailed below:

• All federal, state and local infrastructure decision-making must be informed and underpinned by respective (minimum) 30-year socio-economic master plans which take into account optimising current asset stock, along with issues such as:
  • Demographic trends
  • Economic shift to knowledge and service based economy
  • Climate impacts
  • Cumulative environmental impacts and costs
  • Whole of life costs
  • Wider economic benefits
• The business case for all infrastructure investments (brown and greenfield) must demonstrate shared value and value creation benefits across the social – economic – environmental triple bottom line and should be quantified where practicable.
• All projects which have been considered worthy of funding should be required to achieve certification using the appropriate industry best practice sustainability performance and assurance rating tools throughout the project planning, delivery and operational phases. Rating tools provide verification that benchmarks are achieved and will ensure that the proposed direct and indirect project/asset outcomes are ultimately delivered. These industry best practice rating tools include:
  • The Infrastructure Sustainability Council of Australia’s (ISCA) IS rating tool applicable to the planning, procurement, design, construction and operations of all infrastructure asset classes (big and small).
  • The Green Building Council of Australia’s (GBCA) Green Star – Communities rating tool which is applicable to development projects on a community and precinct scale.
• A whole-of-government approach to project appraisal, supporting consistency and best practice across the states and territories is critical. This project appraisal framework should be integrated with the existing work undertaken by Infrastructure Australia, and those relevant state and territory departments and agencies advising and overseeing infrastructure prioritisation, funding and delivery. Clear recommendations and next steps facilitating this whole-of-government approach should be included in the framework to support its implementation.

Read submission.

ASBEC has identified a number of areas associated with infrastructure project appraisal which we strongly recommend be adopted by Infrastructure Australia to ensure that the most productive and sustainable projects are prioritised:

• A whole-of-government approach to project appraisal, supporting consistency and best practice across the states and territories is critical. This project appraisal framework should be integrated with the existing work undertaken by Infrastructure Australia, and those relevant state and territory departments and agencies advising and overseeing infrastructure prioritisation, funding and delivery. Clear recommendations and next steps facilitating this whole-of-government approach should be included in the framework to support its implementation.
• Major infrastructure decision making must be informed and underpinned by a minimum 30 year socio-economic masterplan which takes into account optimising current asset stock, along with issues including demographic trends, economic shift to knowledge and service based economy, climate impacts, cumulative environmental impacts and costs, whole of life costs and wider economic benefits
• The business case for all infrastructure investments (brown and greenfield) must demonstrate shared value and value creation benefits across the social – economic – environmental triple bottom line and should be quantified where practicable.

Read submission.

The built environment is a major user of energy, a major investor in end-use equipment and energy management, and is increasingly involved in energy supply through distributed generation. Data presented on page V of the Green Paper highlights that around 20 per cent of Australia’s final energy consumption occurs in the built environment (residential and commerce and services sectors) and a further 40 per cent is used in transport, which is heavily influenced by the built environment.

ASBEC members support a renewable energy target, and believe that policy settings will need to change in order to maximise the potential to improve energy productivity and reduce emissions in the built environment.

Distributed generation offers significant opportunities to make energy more affordable, improve energy productivity, increase system diversity and resilience, and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. However, reforms to energy market regulations and other policies are essential to both unlock the potential of distributed generation and ensure that its installation occurs in a way that delivers both short- and long-term benefits to generators and consumers.

The Energy White Paper should consider the role of the built environment and distributed generation in energy demand and supply.

Read submission.

ASBEC has released their Platform on Distributed Generation, calling on federal, state and local governments to work together to maintain the Renewable Energy Target and appoint a Commissioner to support the rollout of distributed generation in Australia.

Distributed generation includes solar photovoltaic, cogeneration, trigeneration and district energy systems.

Reforms to energy market regulations and other policies are essential to unlock the potential of distributed generation and ensure that benefits are delivered to consumers.

If they are rolled out in an effective way, a diverse mix of distributed generation technologies would protect homes and businesses from rising fuel costs by either avoiding the use of fuel or using it more efficiently and reduce energy bills by reducing the need to augment the grid to cope with rising peak demand.

In summary, the ASBEC policy recommendations are:

• Maintain the Renewable Energy Target.
• Appoint a Commissioner to support the rollout of distributed generation.
• Simplify the process for connecting distributed generation to the grid.
• Commence a long-term process to deliver fair returns from distributed generation installations, including both energy and network values.
• Immediately start interim measures to deliver fairer returns from distributed generation installations.
• Deliver targeted financial support for innovative applications of distributed generation.

Read full Platform on Distributed Generation here.

Read ASBEC’s Media Release here.

ASBEC believes that an effective climate change policy must overcome structural and financial barriers to cost-effective greenhouse gas (GHG) abatement. Our report ‘Delivering abatement through direct action’, which we submitted during the government’s ERF consultation period, demonstrates that if designed properly, the proposed Emissions Reduction Fund (ERF) could help to deliver such potential within Australia’s building sector.

However, we are concerned that the current design of the scheme makes it difficult for our sector to access the ERF and is not conducive to unlocking the up to 30 million tonnes of potential carbon abatement per year available within our sector.
If designed properly, the ERF could generate significant incentives for energy efficiency upgrades and other abatement projects across the built environment, overcoming existing market barriers that often make action in this sector commercially unviable.

Read the submission.

Following on from ASBEC’s submission to the Direct Action Emissions Reduction Fund White Paper, the ASBEC Direct Action Working Group have reviewed the Green Paper and make a number of specific recommendations, in summary:

• That participation in complementary government emission reduction or energy efficiency programs not preclude access to the ERF; however, double dipping will be forestalled by ensuring there is a verifiable nexus between ERF-related incentives and ERF-related abatement.
• Normalisation methods be adopted for the Facility Method to ensure fluctuations in building occupancy, hours of operation and climatic conditions are appropriately taken into account.
• Live bid prices be made available during auction rounds until the finalisation of each auction. This will encourage competition.
• Contract terms be extended beyond five years with a provision to deem and pay extended abatement upfront.
• Successful bidders be provided with 50% of ERF funding upfront, with the remaining 50% payable on delivery of abatement instalments.
• Full payment for abatement based on NSW Energy Savings Scheme ‘Default Savings Factors’ be made once installation of plant or equipment is verified.
• International permits not be allowable to make-good contract shortfalls.
• ERF payments to be classified as passive income for the purposes of Managed Investment Trust legislation.
• The coverage threshold for the safeguard mechanism be based only on Scope 1 emissions, in keeping with existing rules for Liable Entities.
• Baselines for the safeguard mechanism be set with reference to individual facility history.
• International permits not be used by companies to meet their baseline requirements within the safeguard framework.

Read the submission

This submission is endorsed by eleven members of ASBEC who work together in the ASBEC Direct Action Working Group.

ASBEC is a strong supporter of Infrastructure Australia (IA) as a valuable mechanism to deliver greater independence, transparency and a strong evidence base to support infrastructure decision making and policy development. ASBEC advocates a broadened role for IA to support more productive, sustainable and liveable communities.

ASBEC’s recommendations include:

• Establishing IA as a body corporate, and providing additional funding
• IA to deliver fifteen year infrastructure plans to be reviewed every five years, and for even longer-term plan to be seriously considered
• Resilience and sustainability be specified as stand-alone function for IA
• The independence and transparency of IA be safeguarded. Our submission makes a number of specific recommendations in this regard

Read ASBEC Submission on Infrastructure Australia Amendment Bill 2013

The built environment is a major user of energy, a major investor in end-use equipment and energy management, and is increasingly involved in energy supply through distributed generation. Around 20 percent of Australia’s final energy consumption occurs in the built environment, and a further 39 percent is used in transport, a component of the built environment. Therefore the White Paper should consider the role of the built environment in energy demand and supply.

Focusing on the right metric is crucial. This metric should be the size of energy bills and total cost of energy services, rather than the cost per unit of energy. For example, while Californian homes face per unit energy costs higher than the US national average, their relatively high level of energy efficiency means they have some of the lowest energy bills in the US.

This submission goes on to consider: regulatory reform, including tariff reform; workforce productivity; unlocking potential energy productivity; and, encouraging alternative and emerging energy sources and technology.

Read ASBEC submission on Energy White Paper.

Skills gaps are seriously limiting the capacity of the built environment sector to realise opportunities to invest in sustainability and reap the subsequent rewards.  Government agencies, industry bodies, professional associations and educational institutions often start from scratch for each new attempt to address sustainability skills gaps.  Often programs, materials and information developed by separate entities are not properly shared and disseminated, leading to frustration and a lack of progress.  A framework for collaboration is essential to overcome these inefficiencies and address the skills gaps with the urgency required by the sustainability challenge.

This Briefing Paper outlines why it is essential to address the sustainability skills gap, and identifies a collaboration framework via 4 strategies: 1) forming collaborations; 2) ensuring skills availability; 3) encouraging skills demand; and 4) creating a market for sustainability.  It then sets out a pathway to establish the framework including actions, key players and a timeline.

Read Briefing Paper: The Built Environment Skills Collaboration Framework.

Which builds on the full report ASBEC Skills Collaboration Framework Report

The ASBEC submission on the design of the Direct Action Emissions Reduction Fund includes two key elements:

Principles that should guide the Emissions Reduction Fund

Operational demand for energy in the buildings sector (commercial and residential, not including construction) amounts to 23% of Australia’s greenhouse gas emissions. There is significant potential to reduce the sector’s GHG through investment in energy efficiency. The following policies are key to unlocking this GHG reduction via long term structural change:

• Accelerated green depreciation for buildings,
• A national white certificate scheme,
• Public funding for energy efficient buildings retrofit,
• Modernisation of the Building Code of Australia with higher energy efficiency standards, and
• Enhancing performance standards in the minimum energy performance standards for
  appliances (MEPS)

ASBEC submits that there are some guiding principles which ought to be considered for the ERF. These include;

• A clear focus on maximising abatement to achieve Australia’s 2020 abatement target
• Preference to be given to abatement which has certainty of being achieved
• Independent verification of abatement
• Weighting to be given to abatement which continues beyond 2020
• Transparency (eg, disclosure of bid prices and report on ERF abatement outcomes)
• Certainty for participants and government
• Minimise transaction costs
• Fairness and equity

And that in addition to the ERF there is still a need for complementary measures to realise the full abatement potential within the buildings sector. Complementary measures, both financial and non-financial incentives, to encourage the built environment towards better practice and reduced emissions such as; discounts for lower emissions properties, training opportunities to upskill the workforce, R&D incentives to support innovation, community education to change occupant behaviour etc.

Detailed Report on Design Principles

Endorsed by ASBEC membership, this report Delivering Abatement Through Direct Actions – Emissions Reduction Fund, concept design and practice offers a detailed exploration of how the ERF might work across all industries. Commissioned by the Property Council of Australia, and carried out by ACIL Allen Consulting, it incorporates input from a range of ASBEC members and has been endorsed by the Council.

Infrastructure has a role to play in supporting more productive, sustainable and livable communities. This requires a coordinated and accountable approach to cities, incorporating more innovative financing mechanisms for infrastructure and a broadened role for Infrastructure Australia supported by the development and measurement of our cities’ performance through clear indicators.

A framework to improve the resilience of the built environment in the face of climate change is essential to the consideration of whole-of-life costs of infrastructure, and government should work with industry to develop this framework.

Read ASBEC Submission To Productivity Commission Inquiry on Public Infrastructure.

ASBEC strongly supports the National Australian Built Environment Rating System (NABERS). This support dates back to the involvement of individual ASBEC members in developing and launching the initial NABERS program.  It is because of this support that ASBEC is committed to the continual improvement of NABERS and its underlying tools.

This Position Paper is the consolidation of our members’ ideas for a better NABERS.

Recommendations cover the following elements:

• Governance and oversight
• Engagement with industry
• Tool development
• Technical improvements
• Training and accreditation
• Metrics and data
• Customer service

ASBEC believes a rigorous and nationally consistent rating tool is pivotal to fostering a more sustainable built environment.

ASBEC will continue to partner with Government to recommend practical and technical improvements to NABERS, and provide a conduit for key stakeholders.

Click HERE to download the ASBEC Policy Position Paper on NABERS.

ASBEC has released a six-point plan for Australia’s cities to ensure they are globally competitive, productive, sustainable, liveable, socially inclusive and able to meet our future challenges, calling on all political parties to support the following actions:

• Adopt a national approach to our cities with a strong governance framework
• Establish an Urban Infrastructure Fund
• Align Infrastructure Australia with National Urban Policy
• Deliver a quantum leap in sustainable, affordable housing
• Focus on climate change adaptation and resilience.

Click HERE to download ASBEC’s Call to Action for productive, liveable and sustainable cities.

Click HERE to download the ASBEC Media Release.

ASBEC’s 2013 policy platform calls for a sustainable, innovative, productive and resilient built environment in Australia through the following measures:

• A Coordinated and Accountable Approach to Cities: Ensure our cities are productive, sustainable, liveable, resilient and adaptable by measuring performance through indicators; broadening the role of Infrastructure Australia, and strengthening the Major Cities Unit.
• A Framework to Improve Resilience: Improve the resilience of the built environment in the face of climate change, with government working with industry to improve engagement, leadership, research, access to information and education, incentives, regulation, building codes and standards, planning systems and insurance and financial services.
• Reduction of Energy Costs and Emissions: Support households and businesses to unlock the full potential of a more efficient, productive building sector through tax incentives for green building retrofits; a national white certificate scheme; public investment in retrofits; modernisation and updating of standards in the Building Code of Australia; and enhancing Minimum Energy Performance (MEPs) standards.
• A Framework for Sustainable Buildings: Support a framework for improving the sustainability of buildings that includes measurable performance targets, with the aim of significantly improving economic and social value while simultaneously preserving natural capital.
• A Roadmap for Net Zero Emission Homes: In partnership with industry and stakeholders, develop a shared vision, policy, skills and a business case for Net Zero Emission Homes.

Click HERE to download ASBEC’s policy brochure.

More than 80 per cent of Australia’s population live in cities that collectively generate over 80 per cent of our economic wealth.

A bi-partisan commitment to planning and delivering better cities; to working collaboratively with the states and territories, and with industry, to prioritise and fund the infrastructure we need for jobs, growth and a better way of life is now more urgent than ever.

This is a call for leadership and investment. It is time to support A New Deal for Urban Australia. Here, the Urban Coalition detail those decisions that if taken today will shape a better future for our cities tomorrow.

Read A New Deal for Urban Australia report.

ASBEC’s Cities and Regions Policy Task Group has compiled a briefing document to help inform members and stakeholders about the Task Groups work and relevant Government policy and programs.

Click HERE to download the Cities Snapshot.

In January 2013, ASBEC provided a submission to the Senate Inquiry into Recent trends in and preparedness for extreme weather events.

This submission is drawn from ASBEC’s ‘Built Environment Adaptation Framework’ and the supporting ‘Preparing for Change’ report.

Click HERE for information on the inquiry and submissions received by the Committee.

Click HERE to download ASBEC’s submission.

ASBEC’s Sustainable Housing Task Group has undertaken to start a conversation with government, the building sector and the Australian community about the steps toward a low carbon future for housing, through their release of Net Zero Homes: An Industry Roadmap.

The Roadmap outlines the following pathways for stakeholders to achieve Net Zero Carbon Housing:

• Delivering a Vision – a clear and consistent framework
• Setting the Policy – the alignment of voluntary, incentive based and regulatory levers
• Building Industry Skills – the identification of gaps and capacity building opportunities
• Developing the Business Case – improving the feasibility to build and deliver
• Build a Brand – engage with consumers and deliver understanding through information sharing

The Roadmap is part of a package, the first part of which is Defining Zero Emission Buildings: Review and Recommendations; the second of which is the Net Zero Emission Homes: An Examination of Leading Practice And Pathways Forward.

Click HERE to download Net Zero Homes: An Industry Roadmap.

ASBEC commissioned the Institute for Sustainable Futures (ISF) to undertake a global snapshot of pathways to delivering zero carbon homes.

This report, entitled Net Zero Emission Homes: An Examination of Leading Practice And Pathways Forward assesses leading Australian and international practice in the delivery of zero carbon homes. It seeks to examine the lessons learned from lead practitioners and considers the applicability of international initiatives in the Australian context.

This report specifically focuses on a zero carbon goal while recognising that many of the proposed actions will be equally relevant to low carbon or beyond zero carbon goals. This report should be read together with its sister document released by ASBEC, Net Zero Emission Homes: An Industry Roadmap.

This project builds on an earlier project for ASBEC looking at definitions of zero carbon buildings and uses the definitions proposed in that report and complements work undertaken to examine the challenges of retrofitting residential homes.

Click HERE to download Net Zero Emission Homes: An Examination of Leading Practice And Pathways Forward.

The Sustainable Housing Task Group has released a report on the drivers of demand for zero and towards zero emissions residential retrofits.

This report is a reference document for upcoming Sustainable Housing reports outlining an industry roadmap to Net Zero Emissions Homes and also a marketing study.

This ‘Retrofit’ report finds that the strongest factors influencing the uptake of energy efficient refurbishments include the age and condition of the building, rising energy prices, short payback times and increased property value, appearance and visibility of the measures, householder income group and the desire for increased comfort and convenience.

For a widespread adoption of energy efficient refurbishments this report recommends a range of initiatives which address professional practice, social practice and changing concepts of ‘home’. Simple mechanisms including choice, price, technical solutions or voluntary codes will not sufficiently mobilise homeowners towards to high energy efficiency standards. The most effective strategy will need to build on broader understandings of the correlations between decision-makers’ motives, the skills and expertise of building professionals, technical solutions, regulations and householder practices.

This report is based on a desktop study undertaken by RMIT’s Centre for Design and made possible with the generous funding of Sustainability Victoria

Click HERE to download the full report.

In response to the impacts of climate change on the built environment, the ASBEC Climate Change Task Group have launched a ten-point framework aimed at improving the resilience of our urban communities against extreme weather events and predicted future climate change.

The Built Environment Adaptation Framework proposes solutions to facilitate adaptation.

It has been informed by surveys of ASBEC’s membership about the gaps in policy and the specific needs of the built environment, and will help governments capture the significant potential benefits of early action.

The intention of this document is to propose a clear and comprehensive policy approach, by:

• starting a constructive discussion about the risks, impacts, and implications of climate change associated with the built environment;
• providing information on climate change risks and adaptation policy options, to improve understanding around the issues;
• creating a basis for governments and others across the built environment to implement a strategic public policy approach to adaptation; and
• establishing a dialogue and potential platform for joint action by industry and government on adaptation.

Click HERE to download the Built Environment Adaptation Framework.

Click HERE to download the “Preparing for Change – A Climate Change Adaptation Framework for the Built Environment” Report.

Click HERE to download the media release.

The work of the Net Zero Energy Homes initiative is now being carried out by the ASBEC Zero Emissions Residential Task Group, created in early 2010.

On November 15th 2011, the Task Group released the first component of its extensive action plan, in the form of the Defining Zero Emission Buildings – Review and Recommendations Report. With support from Sustainability Victoria, the Task Group commissioned the Institute of Sustainable Futures at UTS to conduct research into the local and international landscape around zero emission and low carbon buildings. The report proposes a comprehensive set of definitions, in support of the development of a common language for use across the built environment sector.

“Acknowledging the lack of clarity in this area, ASBEC’s Zero Emissions Residential Task Group has been working closely with ISF to produce a strong set of recommendations relating to a common language for low-emissions housing,” said Mark Allan, Task Group Chair, representing the Green Building Council of Australia.

Click HERE to download the Defining Zero Emission Buildings – Review and Recommendations report.

Click HERE to download the associated Media Release.

Australia needs a federal Minister and Department for Cities & Urban Development to ensure the nation meets its urban challenges.

“We have developed this call to action to highlight the urgent need for bold leadership and a streamlined, coordinated approach to urban management policy,” says ASBEC President, Tom Roper.

“We are facing a future of transport gridlock, rising greenhouse gas emissions and eroded quality of life unless we take decisive action. An integrated and collaborative approach is mandatory if we are to foster a culture of innovation and excellence, and ensure our cities are liveable, affordable and sustainable,” Mr Roper says.

ASBEC’s list of urgent actions includes:

• A Federal Minister for Cities & Urban Development to drive the reforms needed to better connect urban built environment policies and programs across all levels of government.
• A Cities & Urban Development Cabinet Committee of federal ministers whose portfolios involve decisions or activities pertaining to urban centres.
• A COAG Cities & Urban Development Ministerial Council involving representation by state and territory treasurers and planning ministers, and local government.
• A Cities & Urban Development NGO Roundtable to ensure business and community groups have a direct voice to government on issues involving our cities.
• A Department of Cities & Urban Development tasked with developing and co-ordinating policy which involves urban outcomes.

According to Romilly Madew, Chief Executive of the Green Building Council Australia and chair of the Cities task group, the ASBEC call to action includes a matrix which plots 45 Australian Government programs, strategies and initiatives which impact the built environment.

“While the Australian Government’s commitment to national urban policy is welcome, we are particularly concerned by the lack of co-ordination between the three levels of government in Australia, resulting in inconsistently-managed programs and policies across eight state and territory governments, and more than 500 local governments,” Ms Madew says.

“Business and the community are looking to the Federal Government to join-up their forthcoming policies on population, cities, regional Australia and sustainability,” says Chief Executive of the Property Council of Australia, Peter Verwer.

“Cities – of all shapes and sizes – are the centre of action! A linked up, coordinated approach is needed to meet the challenges of managing growth, improving quality and liveability and transitioning to a lowcarbon economy while maintaining wealth creation,” says David Parken, Chief Executive Officer of Australian Institute of Architects.

Read the media release here.

Read the Call to Action here.

This report updates the findings from ASBEC’s The Second Plank Report: Building a Low Carbon Economy with Energy Efficient Buildings.

The update report provides an economic analysis of the potential role the building sector can play in reducing greenhouse gas emissions (GHG) through additional energy efficiency measures. It takes into account the Australian Government’s Renewable Energy Target (RET), policy measures and programs, and forecasts energy efficiency savings under both a Carbon Pollution Reduction Scheme (CPRS) and a non-CPRS scenario.

Download the Second Plank Update 2010 Report here.

The ASBEC Cities for the Future Task Group commissioned the Cities for the Future Report that considered the relationship between GHG emissions, land use and transport. The report is stage one of a long-term project for the Task Group and it was launched at the Green Cities 2010 conference in Melbourne.

To be re-directed to the Cities for the Future Report, click here.

The ASBEC Climate Change Task Group (CCTG) commissioned economic analysis by the Centre for International Economics (CIE) to assist in stimulating discussion about the complementary role that energy efficiency can play in supporting the Australian Government’s Carbon Pollution Reduction Scheme (CPRS).

The report produced, ‘The Second Plank – Building a Low Carbon Economy with Energy Efficient Buildings’ responds to the fact that residential and commercial buildings (the building sector) are responsible for almost a quarter (23%) of Australia’s total greenhouse gas emissions. It estimates that the Government’s proposed CPRS will result in the building sector saving eight mega tonnes per annum of greenhouse gas emissions (GHG)– far short of the building sector’s full GHG abatement potential.

Download full report The second plank – building a low carbon economy with energy efficient buildings pdf file 1.5MB

Download Summary ASBEC @ work 2nd plank report

This study commissioned by the ASBEC Climate Change Task Group extended the Australian Business Roundtable on Climate Change (BRCC) analysis to include a more detailed analysis of the significant energy efficiency potential of the building sector.

Key Research Findings:

• The building sector is responsible for 23 per cent of Australia’s total greenhouse gas emissions, and energy use in buildings is rapidly growing.
• Electricity demand in residential and commercial buildings can be halved by 2030, and reduced by more than 70 per cent by 2050 through energy efficiency.
• Energy efficiency alone could deliver savings of 30-35 per cent across the whole building sector including the growth in the overall number of buildings out to 2050.
• Energy savings in the building sector (which accounts for 60 per cent of GDP and 23 per cent of greenhouse gas emissions) could reduce the costs of greenhouse gas abatement across the whole economy by $30 per tonne, or 14 per cent, by 2050.
• By 2050, GDP could be improved by around $38 billion per year if building sector energy efficiency is adopted, compared to previous economy-wide estimates of the 60 % deep cuts scenario.

Australia’s ability to achieve at least 60 per cent deep cuts in greenhouse gas emissions by 2050 will be significantly enhanced by transforming buildings to deliver energy savings.

Download Report – Building Sector Potential – Sept13 pdf | 353 kB