GBCA welcomes government action on energy and sustainability

The Green Building Council of Australia has welcomed the outcomes of the Energy and Climate Change Ministerial Council meeting in Adelaide on 6 December 2024, as a pivotal step in advancing Australia’s sustainable, affordable, and inclusive energy future.

The release of the updated Home Energy Ratings Disclosure Framework (Version 2), and its associated cost-benefit analysis, marks a critical step toward consistent energy disclosure policies across the country.

GBCA strongly supports this initiative, which aligns closely with the recommendations outlined in the Every Building Counts policy document.

“We are delighted to see a commitment to empowering homeowners and renters with greater choice and transparency about energy performance,” said Davina Rooney, CEO of GBCA. “This national framework will help Australians unlock the benefits of energy upgrades, reduce cost-of-living pressures, and create more comfortable, climate-resilient homes.”

The framework establishes a national approach to implementing energy performance disclosure schemes for homes, providing clear guidelines for consistent application across Australia. However, it is up to individual states and territories to adopt and implement these requirements within their jurisdictions.

“We strongly encourage all state and territory governments to adopt voluntary energy performance disclosure in line with the national framework as a matter of urgency,” Ms Rooney said.

“Taking this step now will lay the groundwork for transitioning to mandatory disclosure, delivering significant benefits for homeowners, renters, and the environment.”

GBCA also recognises the importance of the other actions announced in the ECMC Communique that align with its vision for sustainable and efficient buildings, including:

• Social Housing Energy Performance Initiative (SHEPI): The Australian Government’s additional $500 million commitment to upgrade social housing with solar, electrification, and thermal improvements is a transformative measure. “This funding will significantly enhance the energy efficiency of social housing, benefiting vulnerable Australians and reducing energy bills,” Ms Rooney said.
• First Nations Clean Energy Strategy 2024–2030: GBCA applauds the focus on economic empowerment and equitable participation of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Australians in the energy transition. These steps ensure the benefits of clean energy transformation reach all communities.
• Accelerated Renewable Energy Infrastructure Planning: Ministers’ progress on the National Renewable Energy Project List methodology and commitment to streamlined planning and approvals for renewable infrastructure reflect the urgency of Australia’s decarbonisation goals.

“Taken together, these initiatives represent a bold and comprehensive agenda for reducing emissions, addressing energy equity, and advancing Australia’s net-zero commitments,” Ms Rooney said.

“GBCA looks forward to working closely with all levels of government and industry stakeholders to implement these measures and support the clean energy transition.”

GBCA remains committed to advocating for policies that transform Australia’s built environment into a more sustainable, energy-efficient, and climate-resilient sector.

Visit www.energy.gov.au for full details of the ECMC outcomes.