18 Jun 2026
The crises we face - to COP 31 and beyond.
Last week during the UN’s June Climate Meetings in Bonn, the COP31 Presidency’s Action Agenda was announced with the following targets:
35 by 35 – An electrification target to raise share of final energy demand met by electricity from just over 20% today to 35% by 2035
While electrification may seem like old news to many in the built environment industry, it’s a policy drum we must continue to beat. With the past few months a poignant reminder of the interconnectedness of us all, and as the impacts of “the mother of all energy crises” roll on (as it was recently described by Fatih Birol, Executive Director, International Energy Agency), we are heartened to see the electrification target at the top of the list.
I was fortunate to be able to see Michael Liebreich, leading global expert on clean energy, speak last month. Michael keynoted the Energy Efficiency Council’s conference as well as addressing the National Press Club in Canberra. He was unequivocal that a fossil fuel crisis will not have a fossil fuel solution.
In a speech bursting with insights, a few things stuck out. Michael noted that if you are thinking of this as the second fossil fuel crisis in four years, that’s the wrong framing. It is, in fact, the fourteenth crisis in the sixty years since the 1973 OPEC oil embargo dragged life as we knew it to a crawl.
Another point Michael highlighted that lingered in my mind following his address, is this:
The UK’s Climate Change Committee has calculated that the cost to the UK of just one more fossil fuel shock would be more than the entire cost of achieving net zero by 2050.
Let’s let that sink in. No matter how hard and expensive we think it might be to get to net zero, it’s not even as painful as the next fossil fuel shock will be. Alternatively, by investing in a clean energy transition we get to have control. Not to mention the long list of co-benefits for households, businesses, economies, the environment and more.
In his address last week to the UN climate talks in Bonn, Chris Bowen, Australia’s Minister for Climate Change and Energy as well as the President of Negotiations for COP 31, chose to look ahead with optimism. He noted that the answers to overcoming both the current crisis and getting to net zero are in harmony: more clean energy; more electrification; less dependence on fossil fuels; more energy sovereignty and reliability; lower emissions.
While Bowen’s speech calls for moves our sector has been asking for, and getting on with, for a long time, maybe the silver lining to the “mother of all crises” is that the message will resonate strongly with more Australians, and more of those in positions of power. Australia’s recent federal Budget responded to the fuel shock to the tune of $14.8 billion with the Strengthening Australia’s Fuel Resilience package. While this has absorbed some of the immediate pain and risk for households, businesses and the economy, it won’t insulate us from the next energy crisis. I think Australians are more than ready to welcome a transition that will lead to true energy resilience; one that is strong enough that such a response will no longer be necessary.
Certification counts
GBCA has launched new guidance around equivalency claims, sustainability language and the risks of self-assessment. This resource is for anyone considering or working on sustainable building projects – including developers, project teams, government agencies and consultants –who wants to better understand or articulate the value of independent certification.
See the guide here
Budget 2026
Several key measures in the federal Budget, handed down in May, signal continued momentum towards more efficient, resilient and future-ready homes and buildings. GBCA welcomed $42.7 million to provide free access to Standards Australia standards referenced in the National Construction Code, $97.2 million over five years to implement the National Consumer Energy Resources Roadmap, $17 million for Australia’s circular economy policy and more.
See our response here
Need to know: National Construction Code (NCC)
NCC 2025 was released for adoption on 1 May 2026 which marks the shift from ambition setting to implementation. However, in most jurisdictions, meeting the updated code will not be mandatory until 1 May 2027.
The Treasury has released an interim report identifying five key reform directions for modernising the NCC. Treasury will continue targeted consultation with the final report due later this year.
Explore NCC 2025 here
See the NCC modernisation project interim report here
Energy opportunities for apartments
Expressions of interests are open until 30 June for the Electrifying Apartment Buildings program, a joint initiative by the Victorian Government and City of Melbourne. The initiative will support apartment communities in up to 10 medium and high-rise strata titled apartment buildings across metropolitan Melbourne with electrification feasibility studies, NABERS energy ratings, and energy opportunity assessments.
In NSW, applications are open for Solar for Apartment Residents grants to co-fund the cost of installing shared solar photovoltaic (PV) systems on eligible apartment buildings and other multi-unit dwellings.
Vic – Find out more here: Electrifying Apartment Buildings Program: Expressions of Interest | Participate Melbourne
NSW – Find out more here: Solar for apartment residents | NSW Climate and Energy Action
Better standards for rental properties
One of GBCA’s key policy recommendations to governments is implementing minimum energy performance standards for rental properties, so we were pleased to provide input to the NSW and Tasmanian Governments in their recent consultations. RACE for 2030 has released a report exploring if and how the provision of independent energy performance and retrofit information can influence landlords’ decisions to undertake energy upgrades.
You can find our submissions to these consultations and more here
See RACE for 2030 report here
National
Household Energy Upgrades Fund reaches 10000
Changes to NABERS Energy update for 2030 | NABERS
State
Construction complete on Powerhouse Parramatta
Infrastructure Victoria sounds alarm on climate change risk
ACT Missing Middle planning reforms pass
Local
Parramatta sets new benchmark for sustainability - Inside Local Government
How much can a lighting upgrade really save in your apartment building | City of Perth