The Property Council of Australia has welcomed today’s announcement by Assistant Minister for Climate Change and Energy, Jenny McAllister, that the government will consult on expanding the Commercial Building Disclosure (CBD) Program.
The CBD Program supports improved energy efficiency of office buildings by requiring NABERS energy performance ratings to be disclosed when selling or leasing office space over 1,000m2.
Property Council Chief Executive Mike Zorbas said reimagining the CBD program can help adapt it for the future during this critical decade of climate action.
“Expanding the CBD Program to cover more commercial office space and types of commercial buildings is a no brainer that will lead to savings in emissions and energy bills,” Mr Zorbas said.
“It is an opportunity to rethink the Program’s role in encouraging electrification, the procurement of renewable electricity and a focus on embodied carbon of buildings.
“While the CBD Program places a light-touch compliance burden on building owners, it offers significant advantages like higher tenant retention and increased value of highly rated buildings.
“Australia’s property industry is a world leader when it comes to energy efficient offices and consultation with the sector will be key for the Program’s long-term success,” he said.
The Property Council and Green Building Council of Australia’s joint policy platform, Every Building Counts, called for a regular review-and-ratchet expansion of NABERS and the CBD Program alongside a suite of policies offering a roadmap towards zero-carbon ready buildings.
