24 Feb 2023
Right now, Australian homes produce around 13% of our country’s greenhouse gas emissions, a figure set to rise alongside a growing population. Our industry knows this doesn't have to be the case, so we asked some of our Green Star Homes partners how they’re helping homeowners reduce their carbon footprint in 2023 and beyond.
Miele has set itself the target to reduce the total emissions in the usage phase of Miele products by 15% by 2030, compared to 2019 as the base year.
Miele aims to achieve this by better supporting consumers producing the best possible products and services with the least impact on the environment. For example, the electricity consumption of many Miele appliances has already been reduced by more than 50% since the year 2000, and Miele currently offers the biggest range of 10-star-rated tumble dyers on the Australian market. Miele also actively encourages consumers to switch from gas to induction cooktops.
At the same time Miele also supports the consumer in how they can maximise the efficiency of their appliances without compromising performance. We have planned for such sustainability tips and tricks to take centre stage in a variety of communication activities. These include prominent references during Miele culinary demonstrations and appliance consultations in our Experience Centres, communications as part of the Miele for Life customer loyalty program, as well as through social media.
These sustainable tips will be a valuable tool that will not only help our customers reduce their carbon footprint, but also help in cutting down the running cost of using their appliances.
Michele Laghezza (He/Him) | Marketing Director, Miele
At Gateway Bank we’ve developed a range of products to help our customers reduce their home’s impact on the environment while helping them save money at the same time. Our award-winning Green Home Loans have been designed for borrowers who have invested in making their homes more energy efficient and reducing their carbon footprint. In order to support these borrowers and recognise their efforts to reduce their carbon footprint Gateway offers a discounted home loan rate of 0.25% p.a. compared to the similar product for a home which is not energy efficient.
Gateway Bank CEO Lexi Airey commented, ‘at Gateway our purpose is all about doing the right thing for the pocket and the planet. This is why we’ve developed a range of products to reward and recognise borrowers who have taken steps to reduce their carbon footprint and are there to support customers who are looking to do the same.’
Alongside our Green Home Loan products we have an Eco Personal loan offering our cheapest personal loan rates for customers looking for short term funding solution to invest in energy efficient or environmental improvements such as solar or battery storage. We also continue to develop a range of useful guides and information tools on our website to help our customers continue to reduce their carbon footprint.
This year we launched our RubikHaus, a standardised Passive House, another step towards our vision “… a future where all homes on earth are resilient, healthy, accessible, and net positive.
In the year when the NCC adopts 7 star NatHERS we delivered RubikHaus, a Green Star certified home that achieves 8.5 star NatHERS equivalent as a guiding star. Yes, Australian homes have historically produced 13% of National Greenhouse emissions, and account for more in the materials and products supply chain, but it doesn’t have to be this way. Our ambition is to turn this around, by delivering homes that are net positive both in terms of their operation and embodied performance; homes need to be part of the climate solution.
In February Development Victoria published their EoI for the Commonwealth Games Athletes villages. This legacy project sets a keen direction with >7.5 stars, targeting carbon neutral, circular economy and nature positive requirements; another steppingstone for us is to collaborate with other manufacturers and home builders to achieve these standards to demonstrate and prove a route for all Australian home builders.
Three years into this critical decade our ambition is to scale RubikHaus setting a new benchmark for the Australian home. We will work with other volume home builders to set a course for the Australian home to be part of the solution; it can and has to be done.
Tom Davies | Director, Transformation and Partnerships, CarbonLite
Cbus Property has extensive experience undertaking sustainable initiatives within Australia and is committed to using this experience in the investment and delivery of developments that provide a benchmark for sustainability.
This commitment is demonstrated in 185 Wharf St, Cbus Property’s latest proposed residential development in Queensland, currently in the design phase and planned to comprise 125 high-quality residences in the Brisbane CBD precinct of Spring Hill. Targeting a minimum 5 Star Green Star rating under the new Buildings tool, the project team is currently investigating ways to achieve a 6 Star rating.
185 Wharf is being designed to be Net Zero in operation, which will be achieved through:
185 Wharf will also be powered by 100 per cent renewable electricity, achieved through an on-site 40- to 50-kilowat solar system and a renewable electricity agreement. These industry-leading design initiatives will assist in reducing energy consumption to maintain comfortable and healthy living for future residents of 185 Wharf all year round.
Marc Gillespie | Manager, Sustainability & ESG, Cbus Property
In 2023 and beyond, our ESG strategy will remain a core component of our business strategy and be complimentary to our broader agenda at Frasers Property Australia. We’ve committed to net zero emissions by 2028 and crucially, our strategy encompasses our customers’ emissions. Our broad ESG agenda will be critical in meeting this target while staying true to our broader ambition to create belonging in stronger, smarter, happier neighborhoods.
Through fostering resilient communities, decarbonisation initiatives, responsibly sourcing services and materials, providing carbon neutral energy, using green finance, and being accountable to ourselves and customers using independent tools and ratings, we’ll contribute to a better, cleaner future.
The projects we’ve completed and which we’re progressing reveal many lessons to support our net zero journey. For instance, through our Build Neutral program at Minnippi Quarter in Brisbane, we developed a model to measure embodied carbon in residential homes. In partnership with the Australian Renewable Energy Agency at Ed.Square in Sydney, we’re capturing data from Net Zero Energy Demand Homes which will provide valuable insights into the cost, efficiency and effectiveness of new technology.
There are countless lessons we’ve learned and which we are still to learn. We’ll keep an open mind and a willingness to share our knowledge to increase the pace of change.
Cameron Leggat | Executive General Manager Development, Frasers Property Australia
Sustainability is part of Geberit's DNA. For decades, Geberit has strived to optimise its products and processes with concern for the environment and in the interests of climate protection.
All products have been developed consistently per the eco-design principle since 2007. All environmental aspects are examined, and the circular economy is considered, from the selection of raw materials to disposal. From an ecological perspective, every new product must be better than its predecessor.
Geberit products such as concealed cisterns, flush buttons and internal inlet and outlet valves are also characterised by their outstanding durability. In many cases, their service life spans several decades. They can be maintained, cleaned and repaired easily, and Geberit offers a guaranteed spare parts availability of up to 25 years for a large part of the product range. Additionally, newly developed products and components are often backwards-compatible, meaning older products can also be enhanced with the addition of new components and functions. Geberit is also constantly reducing the volume of packaging material used while increasing the share of recycled material.
These aspects play a decisive role in minimising the use of energy and resources, increasing the service life and useful life of the products, and closing material cycles.
Did you know that on average 90% of our time is spent indoors? And 2/3 of that time spent is in the home? It’s no wonder the home is considered the most important purchase you will ever make, and certainly the most expensive. By choosing a Green Star Home, you can be sure your home meets high standards in health, energy efficiencies and comfort. Learn more about Green Star Homes.