This report was commissioned by the Australian Sustainable Built Environment Council's (ASBEC) Climate Change Task Group to stimulate discussion about the complementary role that energy efficient buildings can play in supporting the Australian Government's Carbon Reduction Pollution Scheme.
About this report
This report was commissioned by the ASBEC Climate Change Task Group in response to the Australian Government's Carbon Reduction Pollution Scheme (CPRS) Green Paper.
The report responds to the fact that the building sector is responsible fr almost a quarter (23%) of Australia's total greenhouse gas emissions. Under the government's proposed CPRS, the building sector is set to cut greenhouse gas emissions by (GHG) around 8 million tonnes per year – far short of the building sector's full GHG abatement potential.
The report provides an economic analysis of the greater benefits that energy efficiency measures for buildings can deliver, with a policy mix offering better incentives for the building sector to invest more resources to increase energy efficiency. It examines a number of impediments and market failure that prevent the building sector from achieving its full GHG abatement potential. In response, a number of additional policy measures are highlighted in the report:
- A national White Certificate Scheme with energy efficiency as a tradable asset
- 'Green depreciation' for accelerated depreciation allowances for capital expenditure on energy efficient refurbishments to existing commercial buildings
- Publicly-funded energy efficiency retrofits for residential and commercial buildings.
Specific regulatory measures are also needed, including enhancement of the Minimum Energy Performance Standards for appliances and setting higher standards for building design and energy efficiency in the National Building Code.
According to the report, implementing these measures will result in the building sector achieving substainal greenhouse gas emission reduction - around 60 mega tonnes annually by 2030.
Link to the report
The Second Plank - Building a Low Carbon Economy with Energy Efficient Buildings
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