The Australian Government has announced plans to expand the Commercial Building Disclosure Program, which aims to improve energy efficiency in large Australian office buildings.
The Commercial Building Disclosure (CBD) Program is a national regulatory program that requires energy efficiency information to be provided in most cases when commercial office space of 1,000 square metres or more is offered for sale or lease.
Assistant Minister for Climate Change and Energy Jenny McAllister said the program has helped cut the emissions and energy use of commercial offices for nearly a decade and a half.
“Since 2010, for buildings that disclose under the program, base building energy usage per square meter has reduced by 35 per cent.
“The government is thinking through how we can build on this success.”
Senator McAllister on Friday announced the release of a public consultation on the expansion of the CBD program, with submissions open until 13 September.
“We are seeking industry views on building types and sectors, ownership structures, what energy and emissions information could be disclosed, and minimum performance standards,” she said.
Property Council Chief Executive Mike Zorbas said reimagining the CBD program can help adapt it for the future during this critical decade of climate action.
“Expanding the CBD Program to cover more commercial office space and types of commercial buildings is a no brainer that will lead to savings in emissions and energy bills,” Mr Zorbas said.
“It is an opportunity to rethink the Program’s role in encouraging electrification, the procurement of renewable electricity and a focus on embodied carbon of buildings.
“While the CBD Program places a light-touch compliance burden on building owners, it offers significant advantages like higher tenant retention and increased value of highly rated buildings.
“Australia’s property industry is a world leader when it comes to energy efficient offices and consultation with the sector will be key for the Program’s long-term success,” he said.
The Property Council and Green Building Council of Australia’s joint policy platform, Every Building Counts, called for a regular review-and-ratchet expansion of NABERS and the CBD Program alongside a suite of policies offering a roadmap towards zero-carbon ready buildings.
Property Council commentary in no way applies to shopping centre or retail matters, only to other commercial assets.