The Green Building Council of Australia (GBCA) has announced that it welcomes the Australian Government’s decision to take a significant step toward improving the energy performance of buildings.
The Government declared to take this key step with an announcement of a public consultation centred on the expansion of the Commercial Building Disclosure (CBD) Program, to include a broader scope of commercial buildings.
The CBD program, which requires the disclosure of energy efficiency information for large commercial office spaces, helps building owners and tenants understand and improve their environmental impact, driving greater energy efficiency and sustainability in the commercial property sector.
Davina Rooney stated that the CBD program, underpinned by NABERS (National Australian Built Environment Rating System), has been the driver of enormous emissions reductions across the built environment.
“Since its inception in 2010, the CBD program has resulted in a remarkable 35% reduction in base building energy usage per sqm for disclosure-affected office buildings.
“This achievement underscores the program’s pivotal role in promoting energy conservation, reducing emissions and lowering energy bills.
“The expansion of the program to encompass a broader range of commercial buildings is a crucial step towards achieving Australia’s sustainability goals.”
Davina Rooney, CEO, GBCA
The commercial building sector is responsible for around 25% of electricity use and 10% of total emissions in Australia. The GBCA believe that expanding the CBD program will provide greater transparency and encourage more building owners and tenants to invest in energy-efficient technologies and practices.
“This will lead to reduced operational costs, enhanced asset values, and a more sustainable future for all Australians.”
Davina Rooney, CEO, GBCA
GBCA was pleased to participate in both the Centre of International Economics (CIE) and KPMG review processes, contributing insights and recommendations to shape the future of the CBD program. It looks forward to continuing its collaboration with the Government and industry stakeholders to drive further advancements in building sustainability.
The review follows recommendations from GBCA and The Property Council’s joint policy platform, Every Building Counts, to expand NABERS and the CBD program.
This news follows a recent announcement that an international alliance between the UK-based Building Research Establishment (BRE), Green Building Council of Australia (GBCA), and the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) welcomed four new partners as it aims to unlock the sustainable finance needed for the built environment to meet its climate goals.
