CBD Program opens the door to energy efficiency opportunities

The Coalition’s commitment to expand the Commercial Building Disclosure (CBD) Program will open the door to greater energy efficiency opportunities in the commercial building sector, says the Green Building Council of Australia.

Minister for Resources, Energy and Northern Australia, Josh Frydenberg MP, announced today the Turnbull Government's promise to lower the threshold of the CBD program from 2,000 sqm to 1,000 sqm. This will see an additional 1,000 commercial buildings disclose their energy efficiency ratings at the time of sale or lease.

Minister Frydenberg says this will “help inform purchasers and tenants of building energy costs, delivering more than $50 million in energy savings, and around 3.5 million tonnes of emission reductions over five years.”

Chief Executive Officer of the GBCA, Romilly Madew, welcomes the expansion of the CBD program, which follows a comprehensive review and public consultation period.

“The CBD program has been a critical driver in unlocking the emissions reduction potential of our buildings while raising awareness of building energy performance among occupants, delivering cost savings and creating jobs,” says Ms Madew.

The Mid-tier commercial office buildings pathway report, released in 2015 and developed by the GBCA and the federal Department of Industry Innovation and Science with support from Sustainability Victoria, City Of Melbourne and EY, found an estimated 80,000 mid-tier commercial office buildings are ripe for energy efficiency upgrades.

“We believe lowering the threshold for mandatory disclosure will encourage many building owners to explore the range of services, resources and technologies that can deliver building upgrades, often at relatively low cost, with attractive payback periods,” Ms Madew says.

The Australian Sustainable Built Environment Council’s Low Carbon, High Performance report has found the nation’s built environment sector can reach zero carbon by 2050, deliver healthier, more productive cities and save $20 billion using technologies that exist today.

“The market leaders have already demonstrated that step change is possible. New Green Star-rated office buildings emit less than half as much greenhouse gases as the average 10-year-old building.

“Our buildings are responsible for 23 per cent of Australia’s greenhouse gas emissions. This makes programs which tackle older buildings, and which drive investment in energy efficiency, essential as we move towards a zero carbon future,” Ms Madew concludes.

Download the GBCA’s five-point plan for sustainable buildings, communities and cities.