The Green Building Council of Australia has recently released a paper supporting a carbon pricing mechanism within the property and construction industry.
Titled ‘Putting a price on pollution: what it means for Australia’s property and construction industry’, Australian green building organisation, the Green Building Council of Australia supports the introduction of an emissions trading scheme or carbon pricing mechanism, provided it is accompanied by complementary measures that support the property and construction industry.
According to GBCA’s Chief Executive, Romilly Madew, an emissions trading scheme or any other carbon pricing mechanism may be one of the most efficient and cost-effective ways for Australia to meet its international carbon reduction targets, while at the same time boosting investment in green technologies and stimulating new sectors of the economy, potentially leading to a global competitive advantage.
Ms Madew says that a carbon price must be complemented with a range of integrated measures that support energy and materials efficiencies within the property and construction industry to capitalise fully on the potential of the built environment.
Ms Madew adds that the complementary measures would include energy efficiency incentives such as tax breaks and white certificates, investment in research, development and commercialisation of low-emissions technologies, and mandatory disclosure.
She believes that current market failures and skills gaps can be overcome through strong collaboration between government, industry and non-government organisations.
Putting a price on pollution sets out the rationale and mechanics for pricing carbon and how this will impact upon the property and construction industry. The paper outlines the challenges that a carbon price presents for GBCA members including building owners, developers and product manufacturers as well as opportunities available in the new green economy.
