Action urged on energy efficiency pathway
The Property Council of Australia is urging the Commonwealth, state and territory governments to make agreement on improved energy performance for buildings a priority in the New Year to help to cut energy bills, relieve pressure on the electricity grid and cut carbon emissions.
This week’s meeting of COAG Energy Ministers failed to resolve an agreement on a pathway for energy efficiency standards in the National Construction Code (NCC) which sets regulatory standards for homes and buildings. The issue has been referred to an out-of-session process in January 2019.
Property Council Chief Executive, Ken Morrison, said it was vital that energy ministers maintain the momentum behind energy efficiency standards to provide direction to industry and lock in savings for consumers and cut energy sector emissions.
Mr Morrison is writing to energy and building ministers urging action on the issue, especially given the importance of incorporating the new standards in a revised Building Code to be implemented from 2022. Australian building ministers will be meeting in February to consider instructions to the Australian Building Codes Board on how to proceed.
“The evidence in support of better energy standards is overwhelming: reductions of up to $900 a year for household energy bills, contributing up to $29 billion in reduced energy bills and 78 million tonnes of cumulative emissions savings across the Australian economy by 20,” Mr Morrison said.
The Property Council has joined with other consumer and professional groups and industry associations in supporting adoption of the improved standards.
“Political consensus is hard to achieve in any area of energy policy and here we have a good chance to progress meaningful action in a sector that comprises 23% of Australia’s emissions which has broad support from industry and consumer advocates”
“Getting on with the job of delivering better energy efficiency standards needs to be the number one New Year’s resolution for our energy and building ministers.
“Failing to act now means Australian consumers and the economy will still be paying for higher energy costs for years to come,” Mr Morrison said.
Media contact: Matt Francis | M 0467 777 220 | E [email protected]