28 Oct 2026
When the challenges in front of us seem overwhelming, it’s tempting to lower our sights. But that’s precisely the time to lift our eyes to the horizon. Our new strategy helps us to do just that.
This month, we launch GBCA’s Strategy 2030 and Beyond, shaped by deep conversations with our members about the challenges ahead and their vision for an Australian built environment that is climate and nature positive, circular, healthy and resilient.
Over two decades, our members have helped take sustainable buildings from the exception to established practice. Today, we have issued more than 10,000 Green Star certifications across 4,300 buildings, fitouts and communities, representing 77 million square metres of certified space.
That progress gives us the confidence to look further, with five priorities to help turn our 2035 ambitions into reality.
First, we want Australia recognised as a global leader in sustainable buildings and places. Next month, our Head of Policy Shay Singh will represent GBCA at COP31 in Türkiye. It’s the first time we’ve sent someone to the climate negotiations, and after years of advocating for all-electric buildings, we’re keen to help shape discussions around the 35% target by 2035.
Second, we’re working towards all-electric buildings, as well as 60% less upfront carbon, a 15% circularity rate and at least 10% biodiversity net gain from developments. The new Electrify Australia campaign, alongside our work on circularity and embodied carbon, will help turn ambition into action.
Our third strategic priority is for Green Star to remain a trusted benchmark for sustainability leadership. I’m personally inspired by the three Australian finalists in the World Green Building Council’s Asia Pacific awards: Quay Quarter Tower, Parkline Place and InfraBuild’s SENSE 600®. These projects show the many forms that leadership can take, whether that’s adaptive reuse, bold new design or revolutionary materials.
Our fourth is to extend our sustainability leadership across the entire built environment ecosystem, with new focus areas including data centres, apartments, hospitals, schools, products, materials and supply chains. Our Sustainable Data Centre Forum in Sydney on 17 November is one example of how we’re bringing new sectors into the conversation.
And our fifth priority is to build a future-ready GBCA. We’re investing in our people, digital capability and systems because we can’t ask industry to prepare for the future without preparing ourselves.
Our collective achievements over the last 20 years have shown what can happen when we work together towards a shared goal. Our new strategy gives us a clear view of the horizon, and the practical priorities to help us get there.
Let’s keep our eyes up. There’s important work ahead.