Carbon Neutral Certification through Green Star
The GBCA is proud to have collaborated with the Australian Government’s Climate Active program in the Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water, to develop a way to recognise carbon neutrality in building operations, and carbon neutrality of the upfront carbon emissions for the design and construction of new buildings, fitouts and communities.
Overview to achieve Climate Active Carbon Neutral certification via GBCA
The GBCA administers Climate Active’s Carbon Neutral certification, when project teams register and submit for Carbon Neutral certification, in conjunction with their Green Star submission. Below are the different Green Star Rating tools and Carbon Neutral certification available through GBCA:
| Green Star rating tool/s | Climate Active standards |
|---|---|
| Green Star - Performance v1.2 Green Star Performance v2 | Carbon Neutral Building Standard |
| Green Star rating tool/s | Climate Active standards |
|---|---|
| Green Star Buildings v1 Green Star Homes v1 Green Star - Interiors v1.3 Green Star Design & As Built v1.3 | Carbon Neutral Product and Services Standard, in conjunction with the Guideline: Upfront Carbon for Buildings |
Carbon Neutral Building Standard and Green Star Performance
The Climate Active Carbon Neutral Standard for Buildings (the standard) provides industry a recognised, streamlined and agreed way to claim to be a carbon neutral building in operation.
GBCA offers a certification pathway against the standard through integration in Green Star – Performance v1.2 or Green Star Performance v2.
Buildings in operation can be assessed for carbon neutrality at the same time as seeking a Green Star – Performance rating, and benefit from synergies of parallel assessment to achieve certified ratings. As a minimum the scope covers energy, water, waste and refrigerants emissions.
To find out more on how to achieve Carbon Neutral Buildings certification through Green Star – Performance v1.2, check out our fact sheet.
Carbon Neutral Product and Services Standard and Green Star
The Climate Active Carbon Neutral Product and Services Standard, in conjunction with the Guideline: Upfront Carbon for Buildings (the guideline), provides a way to claim carbon neutrality for the delivery phase of a building or fitout.
The delivery phase includes emissions from the materials, manufacturing, transport and construction activities associated with a building.
GBCA now offers a certification pathway against the guideline through integration in Green Star rating tools.
Buildings and fitouts at design, and after construction, can be assessed for carbon neutrality at the same time as seeking a Green Star building or fitout rating.
To find out more on how to achieve Carbon Neutral certification for the upfront carbon emissions of your building or fitout through Green Star, check out our fact sheet here.
What is the cost of Carbon Neutral Certification through GBCA?
Costs vary based on the number of projects being submitted at the same time (for Portfolio ratings), and the size of your building/fitout. Please reach out to the GBCA Market Engagement team for a quote.