Inside Green Star – 8th edition, April 2022

Important deadlines

Looking to submit for assessment in 2022? Check out these important deadlines to make sure you get your results in time.

International recognition of your Green Star Buildings and Green Star Homes certified rating

Climate Bonds Initiative (CBI) approved and developed guidance for using Green Star Buildings and Green Star Homes with green bonds certification under the Climate Bonds Standard.  

Making the built environment fossil fuel free

Climate change is the key issue impacting how we develop new buildings in our cities. A key challenge that runs through all of them is how we decarbonise buildings faster. If we are to reduce GHG emissions due to the operation of buildings and meet net zero carbon goals, new buildings must be fossil fuel free – primarily by eliminating the use of natural gas.

An all-electric building comes with many benefits – from easy access to renewable energy, to healthy spaces for occupants. As we move into a decarbonised world, all-electric buildings are future-proofed from having to be refurbished to eliminate outdated technologies. They have less risk of becoming stranded assets. 

This guide outlines the steps involved in delivering an all-electric new building and the types of technologies that can be used today to replace natural gas systems in space heating, hot water, and cooking with electric solutions. If you are a building owner, developer, facilities manager, consultant or building professional, this guide is for you.

This report outlines highlights and achievements for the financial year and what’s on the horizon for Green Star

From the launch of our newest rating tools to the release of our thought leadership papers, our Green Star: a year in focus report outlines highlights and achievements for the financial year and what’s on the horizon for Green Star.

We continue to develop Green Star for the future and this latest report shows industry is taking it up at record highs. This year we certified 430 projects; demonstrating that Green Star continues to grow year on year.

Multiple Buildings Single Rating – Eligibility Criteria and Guidance

The Multiple Building Single Rating (MBSR) approach refers to the process of certifying multiple buildings (in close proximity with similar designs and use) under one single certification. The criteria for certifying using the MBSR approach is outlined on our website and expanded on in the MBSR Support Document. This Support document has been developed to guide project teams on the specific expectations of MBSR certification and how to document their submission at a credit-by-credit level. For example, detailing which credits are common across the buildings and may be aggregated (MBSR Credits) and those that differ due to building specific attributes, and must be demonstrated per building (Building Specific Credits).

Green Star trade marks have been developed to apply to single buildings, and certification must communicate a clear and accurate assessment of a building. The MBSR approach is a ‘by exception’ approach, and project teams wishing to use this approach MUST seek approval through an Eligibility Query before registering. The query must address the eligibility criteria found on the MBSR web page. If approved, a fee structure can be confirmed with the Market Engagement team.

These processes are to protect the integrity of the certification and how the trade mark is communicated. GBCA reserve the right to cancel project registrations where an MBSR approach has been used without prior approval. Contact the Market Engagement Team if you have any questions.