Policy Snapshot - June 2023

08 Jun 2023

Circular economy opportunities for the built environment

This week GBCA released the report, Circular Economy in South Australia’s Built Environment, a project we delivered in partnership with the SA Government. This report highlights opportunities for boosting SA’s circular economy, but the content is also applicable and adaptable for other jurisdictions.

Read 'Circular Economy in South Australia's Built Environment' here

Tackling upfront carbon paper 

Australia’s upfront carbon emissions will balloon from 16% to 85% of overall building emissions by 2050 if we fail to make better choices around the materials we build with, and how we construct them. Urgent action is needed and GBCA and Lendlease have released a practical guide to upfront carbon emissions to help projects identify and reduce upfront emissions.

Read 'A Practical Guide to Upfront Carbon Reductions' here

Consultation on Green Star Communities v2

GBCA is updating and enhancing the Green Star Communities rating tool to redefine what world leadership looks like and ensure it tackles issues such as climate action, equity inclusion, affordable housing, and resilience. Consultation on the new categories and credits and the Climate Positive Pathway in Green Star Communities v2 will be open from 15 June to 15 August.

Find out more

Community battery grant for the Merri-bek community

Merri-bek City Council has received a $500,000 Federal Government grant to install a community battery in Brunswick, VIC. Council will also contribute $600,000 to deliver the battery which will help the community take more control of their energy sources, support local generation of renewable energy and provide revenue that can be used to support low-income households in the transition to a zero carbon future.

Read more here

A national focus on climate risk and adaptation

The Australian Government will invest in Australia’s first National Climate Risk Assessment and a National Adaptation Plan. The risk assessment will provide an in depth quantitative and qualitative analysis of climate hazards, exposure, and vulnerability data. The results will be made publicly available and will inform the National Adaptation Plan which will guide and inform action and investment by all levels of government, the private sector, and NGOs. 

Find out more