16 Oct 2025
The past few weeks have marked a pivotal moment for climate policy in Australia and for the built environment, which holds one of the biggest levers for achieving our new national target of 62–70% emissions reduction by 2035 (compared with 2005 levels).
Alongside the announcement of the 2035 target, September saw the release of three key documents for our sector: the National Climate Risk Assessment, the National Adaptation Plan, and the Built Environment Sector Plan (BESP). Together, they signal a growing recognition of the essential role buildings play in both decarbonisation and climate resilience.
GBCA welcomes this direction and especially the inclusion of key areas for action within the BESP which align with GBCA’s own advocacy priorities – including a focus on electrification and energy efficiency. We were pleased to see the BESP commit new investment into existing initiatives that are already improving building energy performance at scale, such as NABERS, GEMS and the CBD Program. This is a strong foundation, but the true test will be in the steps we take to seize some of the biggest opportunities for emissions reduction still on the table.
Policy ambition must now be matched with practical execution.
The Built Environment Ambition report, released in response to the BESP by GBCA and Property Council of Australia in partnership with the Climateworks Centre, shows the scale of opportunity before us. Retrofitting existing buildings remains one of the biggest levers we have, and more support and new initiatives are urgently needed to help millions of home and building owners access the information, incentives, and tools to act.
At the same time, the National Construction Code presents a once-in-a-generation opportunity to ensure every new building constructed in Australia is low-carbon ready, healthy, and resilient from day one. That’s’ why it’s vital that Building Ministers move quickly to finalise NCC 2025.
The direction is set. What matters now is implementation. If we get it right, these policies won’t just set targets, they will unlock lasting transformation and deliver better, more comfortable, more efficient buildings for every Australian.
Following the announcement of the 2035 emissions reduction target of 62–70%, a new report shows that with the right policy settings, the built environment could contribute up to a quarter of the emissions reductions Australia will need from energy-using sectors over the next 10 years.
See our media release Download the reportGBCA welcomes the release of the Commercial Building Disclosure (CBD) Program roadmap, a key outcome of the Built Environment Sector Plan. The Roadmap sets a clear pathway for expanding mandatory energy performance disclosure across the commercial property sector – building on the millions of tonnes of carbon already avoided and the estimated $1.6 billion saved on energy bills since the program was introduced in 2010.
See our media release Download the CBD Program Policy RoadmapFollowing the Treasurer’s Economic Reform Roundtable in August, an industry coalition of 15 leading industry, consumer and community organisations welcomed the Australian Government’s commitment to implementing National Construction Code (NCC) 2025 and to reaffirming the higher residential standards introduced in 2022.
NCC 2025 focuses mainly on commercial buildings and swift approval by Building Ministers will mean we don’t miss this opportunity to ensure new buildings are ready for the net zero transition. NCC 2025 includes provisions for commercial buildings to be designed and constructed ready for electrification, onsite solar PV, and EV charging infrastructure.
Read more hereThe NSW Planning System Reforms Bill 2025 introduced in September aims to modernise the planning system in NSW, making it faster and simpler to deliver housing and infrastructure while addressing the complexities of the current system. GBCA welcomes NSW’s planning overhaul but says faster approvals must also lock in housing that is sustainable, resilient and affordable to live in.
Find out moreGreen Star Buildings v1.1 launches next week at Green Building Forum - join us in Brisbane, Sydney, Melbourne or virtually to be among the first to see what’s new.
Building on Green Star Buildings’ strong industry uptake, v1.1 sharpens the focus on climate action, nature, and circularity, while introducing new flexibility to make certification more accessible.
Join us at the Forum to explore what’s new and what it means for your next project.
Join usAlterCOP 30 is a nationwide climate action initiative running alongside the global COP30 summit in Brazil, offering a grassroots alternative that the community can get involved in. Events run from 17-20 November.
City of Melbourne is hosting a series of events, including a Giant Climate Fresk and a Sustainable City walking tour. Visit the AlterCOP 30 events page and search ‘Melbourne’ - or wherever you live - to see what’s on.
Explore AlterCOP 30 hereNational
State
Local