21 Dec 2016
And how do we get there? These are questions we’ve been asking ourselves and our members.
And the timing is right to ask these questions. Our collective future is shaped not only by the commitments made in the Paris Agreement – which means transitioning to a carbon zero economy. It is also shaped by urbanisation, innovation in technology, a growing interest in wellness, and awareness of sustainability across the value chain, as well as global political and economic forces.
We are ready to lead.
What does the future look like? And how do we get there? These are questions we’ve been asking ourselves and our members.
And the timing is right to ask these questions. Our collective future is shaped not only by the commitments made in the Paris Agreement – which means transitioning to a carbon zero economy. It is also shaped by urbanisation, innovation in technology, a growing interest in wellness, and awareness of sustainability across the value chain, as well as global political and economic forces.
We are ready to lead.
This means leading our industry and our cities to the position of carbon positive. And it means fostering a new understanding of sustainability as we strive to meet the UN’s 17 Sustainable Development Goals.
To do this we’ve developed a new strategic plan to set us on a path of bold industry transformation by 2030.
Our new vision is for healthy, resilient and positive places for people and the natural environment. And our new purpose is to lead the sustainable transformation of the built environment. To do this, we have established four strategic goals.
Over the next year, we will develop an industry roadmap and new products to move the market towards a carbon positive economy. In tandem, we will develop a comprehensive government relations strategy that focuses on government procurement, raising minimum standards and removing barriers to sustainable utility infrastructure. And we will identify and report on measures of success as we work to transform our industry.
We will develop a definition of liveable, sustainable communities and cities that resonates with all Australians – one that can be adopted by governments, our stakeholders and the people who live, work and play in our buildings.
At the same time, we will release new products to address the challenges of the next decade as defined by the Sustainable Development Goals while creating much broader value for end users. We will also develop new products, services and partnerships to accelerate industry leadership in health and wellbeing, resilience, inclusion and human rights, infrastructure, places, parks and more.
And our new cities policy platform will outline an industry-agreed definition of sustainable cities and the metrics necessary to measure them.
Sustainability is no longer a premium product. Our goal is to broaden market transformation.
To do this, we will grow the skills of our workforce through a new GBCA Academy. We will also develop a strategy to address the most consistently challenging sector in the built environment – the residential sector – which is also the one with most potential for change. And we will create customer-focused and user-friendly solutions to help our industry with reporting and provide the ongoing business case for a sustainable built environment.
We already have the world’s most sustainable property market. In September, GRESB applauded Australia’s “unbroken streak of global leadership”. It’s time to share our expertise and take a proactive role to partner within our region.
Our new regional strategy will increase our activity within the Asia Pacific region while expanding our connections with other global partners. And our work with the World Green Building Council and other Asia Pacific GBCs will create opportunities to accelerate the pace of change in this significant geographical zone.
We have always had our members at the heart of everything we do. But we continue to look for new ways to create more value.
At their core, our four key goals are about leadership. We are committed to leading the shift to a new carbon positive industry, and to reshaping the way Australians live, work and play in their cities. We are determined to accelerate market transformation and to set the sustainability agenda throughout our region.
I’ve never been more positive about the possibilities for the future of our industry and our nation – and I am excited to be working with you, our members, as we build healthy, resilient and positive places for people and the natural environment.
Safe travels over the holiday season. Rest up, because 2017 will be a big year for us all.