The Property Council of Australia has called upon the incoming State Government to take concentrated decarbonised action across public sector buildings following the release of an alarming report from the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC).
Property Council’s NSW Acting Executive Director Adina Cirson said the IPCC Report was a clarion call to the NSW Government to fast-track decarbonisation across the built sector.
“While NSW has been a strong champion for climate action, our ambition across the energy and transport sectors has not been matched in the property sector,” Ms Cirson said.
“Buildings account for more than 50 per cent of Australia’s electricity use and almost a quarter of its emissions. Buildings also present some of the lowest cost emissions reduction opportunities available to governments.
“An incoming NSW Government can lead from the front by setting a net zero vision for buildings in the state and committing to a trajectory of performance improvements for government owned and leased properties over time, with the aim of achieving a net-zero public service by 2030.”
Ms Cirson said the NSW Government holds some of the biggest levers to reduce emissions embedded through construction.
“Through the projects they procure and the buildings they tenant, the NSW Government can lead a strong decarbonisation agenda across the built environment,” Ms Cirson said.
“A net zero public service will deliver a three-fold benefit: savings for taxpayers, emissions reduction, and skills development for tradies delivering energy performance and electrification upgrades.”
Ms Cirson said the next government in NSW should consider implementing strong minimum standards for new government buildings, fit outs, targets for onsite energy efficiency and requirements around electrification and renewable energy, alongside offsite renewable energy and offsets.
Media contact: Aidan Green | E [email protected]