Romilly Madew casts her eye back to the past 12 months of events in sustainability in the building industry and gives an insight into where she sees the industry heading.
In the past 12 months, we’ve witnessed a shift in conversation around Australia’s built environment – the discussion has moved on from how we green our buildings to how we green entire communities,precincts and cities.
The majority of Australians – together with all levels of government – now recognise that climate change is real and that the planet is a finite resource. We are also recognising the benefits of living and working in buildings that decrease water and energy use,reduce waste and preserve our natural environment.
At the same time, Australians are beginning to understand that green buildings don’t just make sound environmental sense – they make sound economic sense too. Solid evidence confirms that green buildings increase everything, from office productivity and reputational equity to retail sales and performances on school tests.
The rapid increase in Green Starrated buildings reflects this dawning awareness. Green Star has penetrated the commercial office market, with more than 240 office projects (out of the total of a 260 projects across the different sectors) achieving Green Star ratings and over 340 projects registered for Green Star certification.
The next generation of green buildings is beginning to emerge,as everything from hospitals and industrial sheds through to apartments and art galleries go green.
The federal government’s stimulus spending has already led to an increase in Green Star-rated schools, for instance, with around 70 education facilities around Australia currently seeking Green Star certification.
In the next 12 months, expect Green Star to become the rule, rather than the exception. More and more projects will be aiming for 6 star ‘World Leadership’ Green Star ratings as building owners, designers and construction teams learn how to design for higher levels of Green Star achievement on conventional budgets.
Five years ago, many in the industry thought a 6 star rating was unachievable. Today, not only are we seeing more and more 6 star certifications across a range of building types, but we now have a building – Grocon’s Pixel Building in Melbourne – that has achieved a perfect score of 100.
We are certainly within striking distance of delivering zero net buildings that generate more energy than they consume. We’ve moved beyond the recognition that buildings are merely resource consumers and are now working on ways to ensure buildings can be producers of resources.
Interest in renewable energy resources will escalate as projects begin to capitalise on the potential of its geo-thermal, wind, wave and solar power. Similarly, life cycle assessments of materials and buildings will become increasingly important. While some owners and operators have begun cradle-to-grave analyses of their buildings and the products within them, we’ll start to see more emphasis on ‘cradle-tocradle’ thinking where material purchases are made based on both their first and second lives.
Building energy performance reporting will continue to drive the uptake of green buildings over the next 12 months.
Mandatory disclosure of energy efficiency ratings for office buildings over 2,000 sqm at the time of sale or lease commences in November this year. The federal government’s mandatory disclosure scheme will force existing building owners to look at green retrofitting options in order to improve their buildings’ energy efficiency, remain compliant,keep tenant interest and avoid obsolescence. While this measure currently only applies to commercial buildings, it is only a matter of time before such regulations apply to other building types.
So, prepare for a focus on retrofitting. As materials prices increase – and landfill costs climb – retrofitting will become the best economic solution for many owners and developers.
The slowdown created by the GFC has brought with it many opportunities. Builders have had time to learn about green building and establish credentials, while corporations have been able to recalibrate their corporate social responsibility agendas. The burgeoning demand for green offices, shops,schools, homes and hospitals will supply new learning opportunities,not just for designers and builders,but for the entire chain of professionals in the building industry.
I wish all of the finalists the best of luck and congratulate the winners for their contribution to making Australia – and the world – a better,greener and more sustainable place.
Romilly Madew is chief executive of the Green Building Council of Australia. Her recent achievements include her role as a lead negotiator in the ground-breaking agreement to develop an international common carbon metric for buildings. Madew was named national winner of the Telstra Business Women’s Awards 2009 (Community and Government).