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Energy efficient buildings

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The energy used by our buildings accounts for approximately 20 per cent of Australia's greenhouse gas emissions, split fairly evenly between homes and commercial buildings.

Our work on buildings is all being done as part of a landmark agreement to expand and accelerate energy efficiency efforts through a National Strategy on Energy Efficiency released by Australian, state and territory governments in July 2009.

• COAG Communique  - COAG, July 2009

National Strategy on Energy Efficiency

The $88 million National Strategy on Energy Efficiency builds on the existing resources and financial support available to improve our homes and workplaces.

• Download the National Strategy on Energy Efficiency  - COAG, July 2009

The Australian Government is managing the following measures to transform the energy efficiency of our buildings under the strategy:

• Improving the efficiency of new buildings and major renovations by increasing the energy efficiency requirements in the 2010 update of the Building Code of Australia - www.abcb.gov.au;
• Providing information to the housing market by requiring Australian homes to provide energy, water and greenhouse performance information to buyers and renters, starting with energy efficiency in 2011;
• Requiring owners of commercial office buildings and government buildings to provide energy efficiency information to interested buyers and tenants, starting in the second half of 2010;
• Collecting comprehensive information on how energy efficient Australian homes and commercial buildings are now to help inform future policy;
• Developing a national building framework to deliver consistency in how building energy efficiency is assessed and rated throughout Australia and for reviewing and setting stronger minimum energy efficiency standards for new and existing homes and commercial buildings over time;
• Improving the energy efficiency of the appliances and equipment used to fit out our buildings - www.livinggreener.gov.au/be-informed/saving-energy; and
• Offering financial support and information resources to homes and commercial buildings.

Information on each of these measures can be found on the building pages. All building energy efficiency policies involving regulations are subject to consultation and a detailed assessment of their impact.

National Buildings Framework

The national buildings framework will aim for consistency on how buildings are assessed and rated for energy efficiency and set out a pathway for increasing minimum performance standards over time.

The framework is the result of a commitment by Australian, state and territory governments under the National Strategy on Energy Efficiency.

In summary, the framework will:

• set increasingly strong minimum performance standards over time for new buildings and major renovations, with standards to be reviewed and increased regularly, for example every 3 years;
• cover all classes of residential and commercial buildings;
• apply to new and existing buildings;
• cover the building envelope including roof, walls, doors and windows as well as the energy efficiency of key building services;
• aim to bring together assessment and rating tools for existing and new buildings;
• include common measurement and reporting to help in setting building standards and assessing building performance;
• allow for the use of rating tools developed by the market, provided they are accurate, transparent and user friendly;
• encourage innovation in meeting defined performance standards;
• continue to communicate energy efficiency improvements using star ratings; and
• facilitate effective monitoring and compliance.

Measures under the national buildings framework will be implemented through the Building Code of Australia where they affect new buildings work.

The framework will also be capable of being extended over time to cover broader sustainability issues including the level of greenhouse gas emissions generated and water used by homes and commercial buildings.

An Australian, state and territory government working group has been established to lead the development of the framework and consult with stakeholders.

An expert reference group has also been established to provide technical feedback on options being considered for the framework.

An industry consultative forum is proposed for January 2010 to facilitate targeted consultation with peak industry bodies. Following this, a discussion paper on the framework will be released for public comment in the first half of 2010.

The final framework is expected to be agreed by governments by the end of 2010.

For more information or to add your name or organisation to a register for updates on the building framework measure please email buildings@environment.gov.au.