Helping the property sector move to net zero emissions

A new report from the Clean Energy Finance Corporation (CEFC) and Norman Disney & Young (NDY) identifies 50 best practice initiatives that can be used across a wide variety of new and existing properties, as part of a push towards net zero carbon buildings.

‘Energy in Buildings: 50 Best Practice Initiatives’ details clean energy opportunities across a wide range of buildings — from offices, retail and hotels to industrial, health care, common living and education. The practical guide indicates the climate zones where specific initiatives are likely to deliver the most positive benefits, and indicates potential upfront costs and typical payback periods.

“Greater availability of useful, practical information on efficiency measures will accelerate the market transformation needed to deliver high-performance, low-carbon buildings,” said Tony Arnel, global director of sustainability at NDY.

“It’s also important to recognise that buildings designed now, for completion in two or three years, will enter a market where they will be competing with an increasing volume of higher performance building stock.

“This handbook will help guide investment decision-making, drive the uptake of lower carbon and renewable energy solutions, and deliver real savings for asset owners and end users. NDY is proud to partner with the CEFC on this important resource.”

The report includes a number of familiar technologies, such as solar PV, LED lighting and improved heating, ventilation and air-conditioning systems. Other best practice initiatives measures include:

• Light colour and reflective external materials, which typically cost less than 0.1% of the building’s cost to implement and pay back in less than five years.
• Data analytics for building management systems in existing buildings, which typically cost less than 0.3% of the building’s cost and have an investment payback period of less than five years.
• Electronically commutated fans, using microprocessor-controlled brushless motors, which also typically cost less than 0.3% of the building’s cost to implement and pay back in less than five years.

CEFC Property Sector Lead Chris Wade said the property sector is uniquely placed to be a major driver of energy efficiency, lower emissions and increased sustainability in Australia.

“Through this report, we are highlighting a wide range of clean energy technologies that currently aren’t prescribed by the National Construction Code, but which are proven, readily available and can be deployed immediately,” he said.

“Importantly, these clean energy solutions offer property owners the potential to unlock billions of dollars in ongoing energy savings, and deliver positive investment returns. Two-thirds of the initiatives have a payback period of less than 10 years, demonstrating the very strong commercial benefits of clean energy.”