Moments that matter

Leadership is often described as direction. But in practice I think it is more about knowing which moments matter and stepping forward when they arrive.

This past month offered several of those moments – some small, some significant – that show how climate leadership is evolving and what it means for Australia’s built environment. At COP30 in Belém, the world’s top climate negotiators managed to land a last-minute compromise that keeps finance flowing to the developing nations disproportionately impacted by a crisis they did not cause.

But with any reference to fossil fuels absent from the final text, the deal left many (including me) frustrated. Yet, as UN Climate Change Executive Secretary Simon Stiell noted in his final address “climate cooperation is alive and kicking”. We are not yet winning the climate fight, but “we are undeniably still in it, and we are fighting back”.

Australia made a different kind of leadership move – agreeing to pass COP31 hosting rights to Türkiye in exchange for stewarding next year’s negotiations and elevating Pacific influence. With Climate Minister Chris Bowen now presiding over the year ahead, we have an opportunity to sharpen Australia’s climate focus and ensure buildings are firmly front and centre.

For all the COP chaos, we are also seeing how the GBCA’s bottom-up work can shape top-down advocacy. We were proud to co-host a COP30 event with Air Club, Indoor Air: The Climate, Health and Energy Nexus. As heat stress intensifies and indoor air quality becomes a frontline health issue, the built environment is not a passive backdrop to climate policy. It is part of the solution and global policymakers are taking notice.

Closer to home, leadership has shown up in deliberate ways. At our annual general meeting, we welcomed four new Board Directors: Dale Connor (Lendlease), Paul Dalton (CSR), Rowan Griffin (QIC) and Christina Tonkin (ANZ). Each bring deep experience across sectors that sit at the core of our mission: construction, materials, asset management and finance.

We are also grateful for the leadership of our outgoing Directors. Adrian Pozzo’s service as Chair has shaped the direction and discipline of our work. Peter Bailey, Julie Coates, Nicole Lockwood, Anna Skarbek and Andrew Whitson all retire with a legacy of genuine impact – with Anna and Andrew marking nine years of service. Their collective contribution has strengthened Green Star, advanced our advocacy work and expanded our industry impact.

And then there is Cundall. Reaching 500 Green Star certifications is not a ceremonial milestone; it represents 20 years of consistent leadership and hard work across 7.5 million square metres of Australia’s built environment. More than 50 6 Star Green Star projects. Firsts across retail, residential, office and communities. And the kind of leadership that comes from passion and purpose.

To support this kind of leadership more broadly, we’ve released Going for Green: A best practice guide to engaging Green Star Buildings project teams. From scope development to points pathways, it offers clear, practical guidance for clients, Green Star Accredited Professionals and the full delivery team.

And finally, a round of applause for our first Green Building Council of Australia Champions, whose influence shapes every decision and design choice. As we reflect on the moments that matter, please take a moment to recognise the leaders among you.