The sustainability campaign in Australia’s commercial office segment has seen the transformation of three million square metres of floor space into green space.

Representing over 12 per cent of Australia’s CBD office space, the CitySwitch Green Office energy efficiency program helps participating companies significantly cut carbon emissions, improve energy efficiency and reduce energy and waste costs.

The latest addition to the City of Sydney-led national program is Melbourne’s Green Steps consultancy, contributing 1,000 square metres of green office space to the campaign. A not-for-profit environmental consulting and training provider based at the Monash Sustainable Institute, Green Steps offers climate-conscious training to companies.

Green Steps has committed to increasing energy efficiency, reducing carbon emissions and improving their recycling rates using the tools available through CitySwitch.

Congratulating CitySwitch on reaching the impressive milestone, Lord Mayor Clover Moore observed that it represented a significant commitment from commercial offices to a smarter, greener future. Around 80 per cent of emissions from cities come from commercial office buildings, making this segment an important component in the war on climate change.

The CitySwitch Green Office program has seen the launch of 1,463 sustainability projects by members in the past twelve months, who have also reported an average accredited NABERS rating of 4.1 stars and purchased 296,600 tonnes of carbon credits. The floor space covered under the program - three million square metres - is equivalent to Uluru, the world’s largest rock formation.

The program currently has 730 offices on board with signatories making a commitment to develop a structured pathway to energy efficiency, with a target of a 4-star or above performance rating.

At the recent CitySwitch national awards, companies were recognised for environmental excellence, including CitySwitch national signatory of the year, West Australian Local Government Association and NSW new signatory of the year, Bupa.

Image: Around 80 per cent of emissions from cities come from commercial office buildings