Policy Snapshot - December 2021

Meet Andrew Fischer, Senior Manager – Policy and Government Relations 

This month we welcome Andrew Fischer, GBCA’s new Senior Manager – Policy and Government Relations.  

Andrew has over 10 years’ experience working on complex legislative and policy reform initiatives in the areas of climate change, renewable energy and environmental sustainability. Andrew has a background as a corporate lawyer and was a policy adviser to the Premier of Victoria and a South Australian Environment Minister. Andrew has also worked in state and federal government, including time spent at the Climate Change Authority. Andrew holds a Masters in Environment Law from ANU, a Bachelor of Laws and a Bachelor of Arts majoring in Political Science from the University of Adelaide. Andrew will be based in Melbourne.

Best-practice for energy management in government operations 

Governments have a crucial role in leading the transition to a net zero economy; they own and occupy over 25 per cent of the commercial building stock in Australia and run schools, hospitals, and energy-intensive facilities such as water supply and treatment plants.

A new guide, Best practice for energy management in government operations, developed by Energy Efficiency Council, GBCA, Australian Sustainable Built Environment Council, and Property Council of Australia, profiles governments that are leading the charge, and provides guidance for all governments for how they can put in place the policies and programs that will drive systematic energy performance improvements in their own operations.

Policy perspectives on COP26 

After two weeks of intense dialogue and diplomacy at COP26 in Glasgow in November, are we on track to make a meaningful reduction in emissions? Here is a brief review of the outcomes that matter for the built environment.