The Turnbull Government’s commitment to review its climate change policies and targets has been welcomed by the Green Building Council of Australia (GBCA).
 
“The commitments outlined in the Paris Agreement underscore the imperative of government action and policy leadership on climate change,” says the GBCA’s Chief Executive Officer, Romilly Madew.
 
“The broad-ranging nature of the review should create opportunities within sectors that have not been able to take advantage of existing government policy.”
 
Ms Madew says structural barriers have prevented buildings from accessing the Emissions Reduction Fund, despite the fact that buildings represent the “lowest of the low hanging fruit”.
 
“The Low Carbon, High Performance report, produced by the Australian Sustainable Built Environment Council, highlights the massive opportunity to reduce the emissions within the nation’s built environment.
 
“Buildings are responsible for 23 per cent of our nation’s emissions, but we can eliminate these emissions from our buildings entirely by 2050. And we can deliver healthier, more productive cities and save $20 billion using technologies that exist today,” Ms Madew says.
 
“Australia’s leadership in green building has been recognised around the world, with the Global Real Estate Sustainability Benchmark acknowledging our industry as the green leader for six years in a row.
 
“Despite this leadership, we haven’t made the progress required to reduce our emissions and meet our obligations under the Paris Agreement. ASBEC has found energy productivity has improved by just two per cent across the board in the commercial sector, and by five per cent in the residential sector.
 
“We need to move faster if we are to arrest climate change – and we need to move faster if we are to accommodate a growing population in cities that are liveable and sustainable.
 
“We look forward to working with the Turnbull Government, to share the lessons our industry has learnt, and the policies it needs to accelerate the shift to carbon zero homes, workplaces and communities,” Ms Madew concluded.

See also:

'Net zero' building label set for 2016

Smart cities are sustainable: GBCA

Buildings can play a role in achieving Paris climate agreement goals