Global Alliance aims for more sustainable buildings

Standards Australia has joined the International Code Council (ICC) and NBS to form a Global Alliance to develop a Common Data Model for the buildings and infrastructure sector.

By leveraging existing standards and frameworks, the Alliance aims to create a harmonised and extendible data model that can be adopted by various stakeholders and platforms.

“We are delighted to partner with the International Code Council and NBS on this important project,” said Adam Stingemore, Chief Development Officer of Standards Australia. “We believe that a Common Data Model will unlock the full potential of data and digital technologies in the buildings and infrastructure sector, and help us achieve our vision of a safe, sustainable and resilient future for Australia and the world.”

The initiative is propelled by an understanding that the buildings and infrastructure sector must move quickly and be positioned to share data across platforms, standards and systems to meet global climate and other reporting standards.

To this end, the Alliance will engage directly with other stakeholders who have different protocols, to ensure alignment and compatibility across the global standards landscape. The work will also take account of other initiatives across the life cycle of a building to support a transition to a low-carbon and circular economy.

The Alliance’s ultimate goal is to develop an open, truly global Common Data Model that will serve as an end-to-end thread of trusted and reliable data over the complete asset lifecycle.

It aims to have a first release ready in time for the 29th session of the Conference of the Parties (COP 29) to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), taking place in November 2024 in Azerbaijan. The Alliance believes this will demonstrate the commitment of the buildings and infrastructure sector to the global climate action agenda.

“As custodians of Uniclass, NBS is honoured to join hands with Standards Australia and the International Code Council in forging this global alliance for digital transformation in the built environment,” said Phil Simpson, Head of Technical Content and Classification at NBS.

“The Common Data Model will serve as a catalyst, enabling seamless collaboration, innovation and efficiency throughout the lifecycle of construction projects. By embracing this initiative, we affirm our dedication to building a future that is not only sustainable and resilient but also inclusive and interconnected on a global scale.”

The Alliance is looking for more partners to join it on the project. For more information, view the Common Data Model document on Standards Australia’s website.

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