11 Dec 2024
Sustainable building practices are on the rise across Australia, with 2023/24 marking a year of unprecedented progress for the industry. The Green Building Council of Australia’s (GBCA) Year in Focus report highlights record levels of demand for certifications, policy advancements, and innovative approaches to decarbonising the built environment.
A surge in industry-led sustainability
This year the Australian building sector reached a major milestone, with over 1000 buildings, fitouts and precincts being awarded Green Star certification for their sustainability credentials in a single year – a new record that shows industry’s commitment to embedding sustainability into core practices.
GBCA’s Chief Impact Officer, Jorge Chapa, said the rise in certifications reflects a profound shift within the sector.
“Developers, designers, owners and investors are embracing sustainability not as an obligation but as an opportunity to deliver better outcomes for people and the planet,” Mr Chapa said.
Submission volumes for sustainability certifications have doubled compared to the previous year, with over 120 project submissions and more than 150 queries received in a three-month period alone.
“This surge highlights the growing recognition of sustainable practices as a fundamental driver of energy efficiency, emissions reduction, and liveability,” Mr Chapa said.
Policy and leadership driving progress
Government policy has been a key enabler of this transformation. The Net Zero in Government Operations Strategy set new benchmarks by requiring Green Star standards and electrification across Australian Government-owned buildings.
This forward-looking approach demonstrates how policy leadership can spur industry-wide adoption of sustainable practices.
“Policies like these create a ripple effect,” Chapa explained. “They not only set high expectations for public developments but also raise the bar for private sector projects, fostering innovation and accelerating our transition to net-zero buildings.”
Collaboration and knowledge sharing
This year also saw increased collaboration across the sector to address shared challenges.
GBCA joined forces with international partners, US Green Building Council, the UK’s Building Research Establishment, Singapore Green Building Council, the Climate Bonds Initiative, the Carbon Risk Real Estate Monitor, and the Alliance HQE-GBC in France to raise awareness of the critical role that independent verification and certification schemes play in unearthing the finance and support needed to meet global climate goals.
The reports from these international partnerships can be found here.
“Global collaboration is critical if we are going to see sustainability in the built environment at scale, and as we know, sustainable finance is just one of the tools that will unlock that,” Chapa said.
As Australia’s building sector continues to innovate the collective achievements of 2023/24 highlight the critical role of collaboration and shared responsibility in addressing climate challenges.
“The remarkable growth we’re seeing is proof that the industry is ready to lead,” Chapa said.
“But there’s more work to be done. By aligning our efforts, we can ensure every building, precinct and fitout contributes to a resilient, climate-positive future.”
Fast facts from Green Star: A Year in Focus 2023-24
· 64 million sqm of building space is Green Star certified
· 46% of CBD office space has at least one Green Star certification
· 3.4 million people visit a Green Star rated shopping centre each day
· 930,000+ people visit and heal in Green Star certified hospitals each year
· 935,000+ people will live or work in the 76 Green Star communities we have certified
· 94,000+ people will live in Green Star rated apartment buildings, including student residences.
· 19,500+ ha of Green Star communities have been certified
For all the facts, figures and stories from Green Star, you can download Green Star: A Year in Focus 2023–24 from our website.