27 Mar 2026
The Green Building Council of Australia (GBCA) has welcomed new advice from the Net Zero Commission to inform the NSW Government’s Net Zero Plan to 2035, describing the focus on electrification and accelerating the electricity transition as critical steps to keep the state on track to meet its legislated emissions targets.
The advice, provided to the NSW Minister for Climate Change, identifies four priorities for the development of the Plan, including accelerating the electricity transition, incentivising electrification across transport, industry and buildings, significantly reducing methane pollution, and laying the foundations now for action to 2035.
GBCA Chief Executive Officer Davina Rooney said the emphasis on electrifying buildings and improving energy performance reflected the central role the built environment must play in delivering the state’s climate ambitions.
“Electrification of buildings is one of the fastest and most cost-effective ways to reduce emissions while also lowering energy bills and improving comfort and resilience for households and businesses,” Ms Rooney said.
“The Commission’s advice recognises the scale of the opportunity in the built environment, from supporting residential electrification and fairer access to clean energy, through to tackling refrigerant emissions and ensuring new industrial facilities like data centres are designed for low-emissions performance from the outset.”
The GBCA also welcomed the focus on accelerating renewable energy development and supporting greater uptake of energy efficiency and consumer energy resources.
GBCA Head of Policy Shay Singh said strong, coordinated policy settings would be essential to translate the Commission’s advice into practical outcomes.
“Clear and consistent frameworks help industry invest with confidence and deliver projects that perform better over the long term,” Mr Singh said.
“As NSW prepares its new Net Zero Plan, there is a real opportunity to align state initiatives with national reforms such as the modernisation of the National Construction Code, helping ensure new buildings are more efficient, more resilient and ready for a low-carbon future.”
The NSW Government is expected to release the new Net Zero Plan to 2035 in mid-2026. The Plan will extend the state’s climate strategy beyond the current 2020–2030 framework and outline actions to support achievement of legislated emissions reduction targets for 2030 and 2035.
GBCA leaders recently met with the Net Zero Commission’s Executive Director, Chair and Commissioners to highlight the importance of accelerating electrification, improving energy efficiency, grid interactive buildings, addressing embodied carbon and refrigerant emissions across the built environment.
“Getting the policy settings right now will help unlock investment, support innovation and ensure the buildings we deliver today are fit for the climate and energy system of tomorrow,” Ms Rooney said.