Carbon neutral buildings on the horizon

Carbon neutral buildings on the horizonThe nation’s first carbon neutral city is one step closer, as the Australian Government expands the National Carbon Offset Standard to include buildings, precincts and cities.The Turnbull Government’s decision to expand the National Carbon Offset Standard to include buildings, precincts and cities has been welcomed by Australia’s property and construction industry. Environment Minister Greg Hunt has promised to establish an Expert Committee for carbon neutral precincts and cities, which will include the Property Council of Australia and the Green Building Council of Australia (GBCA). Hunt says the aim is for Australia to “have our first officially certified and operating carbon neutral precinct or city by January 2017.” Property Council chief executive Ken Morrison says Australia’s cities are responsible for up to 80 per cent of the nation’s emissions profile, making the decision to expand the NCOS an essential one. “The Prime Minister has acknowledged the importance of cities to Australia’s future productivity and liveability. Our industry is already kicking a lot of goals in the sustainability space, and expanding the National Carbon Offset Standard to address buildings and cities will recognise and reward leadership in sustainability,” Morrison says. “It is very important that this initiative aligns very closely with Green Star and NABERS to reinforce these well-established rating tools.” Romilly Madew, chief executive officer of the GBCA, also welcomed the announcement. She says Australia “knows how to deliver low-carbon buildings and we are seeing great leadership at the community scale,” but that it is time to “up the ante and focus on delivering zero-carbon buildings and precincts”. The Australian Government introduced the National Carbon Offset Standard in 2010 to recognise carbon neutral businesses, products, services and events. The first meeting of the Expert Committee is planned for April 2016 and will include representation from the Property Council of Australia, alongside the GBCA, Australia’s capital cities, the Barangaroo Delivery Authority, the National Australian Built Environment Rating System and the CRC for Low Carbon Living.