21 May 2024

Noting that urgent action on climate change is required, ASBEC strongly supports the Australian Government’s Net Zero by 2050 plan and an emissions reduction target of 43% below 2005 levels by 2030. We acknowledge the development of sectoral pathways and plans as the mechanism to support Australia’s transition to net zero emissions by 2050 for six sectors–electricity and energy, transport, industry and waste, agriculture and land, resources, and the built environment.

Concurrent to the CCA process, the Australian Government is also updating and releasing several national strategies and frameworks that will impact and complement the sectoral plans which the sectoral pathways will inform. In the built environment this includes the recently released National Energy Performance Strategy, the update of the Trajectory for Low Energy Buildings as well as the Built Environment sector plan itself. In an earlier submission to Government, we urged the Government to ensure that the sectoral plans, particularly the Electricity and Energy sector plan, and the Built Environment sector plan be developed in close collaboration, and that they integrate both demand and supply sides in a holistic approach to the energy system. Similarly, we would urge the CCA sectoral pathway development to be undertaken in a way that is cognisant of the interactions between and among the sectors.

ASBEC suggests the following priorities concerning matters raised in the issues paper. We note that the built environment sector presents opportunities for extensive and low-cost emissions reduction. The built environment has the technology to decarbonise now – but we must do this at speed and scale to smooth the way for other hard-to-abate sectors.

1. We caution against viewing built environment emissions reductions opportunities through a purely technology-focused lens, as these are complex systems with a number of interactions. In addition, we urge the inclusion in all sector pathways the recognition of, and actions to reduce, embodied carbon.

2. Emissions reduction will be best facilitated by considering energy demand and energy supply as a holistic system.
a. Incorporate a focus on the role that consumer energy resources play.
b. Harness efficient, high-performing buildings to best support the grid.

3. Include in the Pathways the recommendation for ambitious but achievable timeframes to phase out fossil gas in existing buildings and appliances.

4. Note the important priority to build Australia’s clean energy and sustainable built environment workforce.

There is a unique opportunity within the built environment to dramatically reduce both carbon emissions and energy demand in highly cost-effective ways that will also stimulate the economy. The built environment has the technology to decarbonise now, but we must do this at speed and scale to smooth the way for other hard-to-abate sectors and achieve Australia’s legislated emission reduction targets.

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