The Australian Sustainable Built Environment Council (ASBEC) and ClimateWorks Australia have prepared a new report that calls for a ‘Zero Carbon Ready’ building code.
Any improvement in the energy performance of buildings will reduce stress on the electricity network, deliver bill savings, support a least-cost pathway to a zero carbon built environment, and enhance 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: An Industry Led Pathway to a Zero Carbon Ready Building Code’ prepared by ASBEC with ClimateWorks Australia shows that setting strong energy standards for new buildings in the Code could reduce energy bills by up to $27 billion, cut energy network costs by up to $7 billion and deliver at least 78 million tonnes of cumulative emissions savings, between the present time and 2050.
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).
