A National Construction Code with stronger energy performance standards would reduce emissions and power bills for buildings in Northern Australia, according to a new report released today by ASBEC and ClimateWorks Australia.
The report, Built to Perform in Northern Australia sets out potential energy performance targets in the National Construction Code specific to Queensland, Northern Territory and Northern Western Australia’s unique climates.
“The hot tropical and desert climatic conditions of Northern Australia really put buildings to the test when it comes to energy consumption. But these challenges actually provide a unique opportunity to reduce Australia’s emissions and save money – if governments act to make it happen,” said ASBEC Executive Director Suzanne Toumbourou.
“We have modelled the opportunities provided by different building types, including apartments, free standing houses, hospital wards and schools. Even without changing the standard design of these buildings, the report found energy savings of up to 27 per cent in residential buildings, 38 per cent in commercial sector, and 56 per cent in public sector buildings such as schools.”
“Improved energy performance of buildings presents a win-win-win opportunity by reducing stress on the electricity network, offering bill savings and supporting a least-cost pathway to a zero carbon built environment, while improving health and resilience outcomes for households and businesses.”
ClimateWorks Project Manager Michael Li said previous analysis showed that nationwide changes to the National Construction Code could save Queenslanders $6 billion in energy bills between now and 2050, $430 million for the Northern Territory and $4 billion in Western Australia. At the same time, it would reduce emissions by 19 million tonnes, 2 million tonnes and 10 million tonnes respectively.
“Implementing the energy targets in Built to Perform in Northern Australia will enable each state and territory to unlock these savings,” he said.
Suzanne Toumbourou said “We have got the right tool to strengthen energy performance in the National Construction Code – if governments will use it. Right now, industry leaders are delivering buildings that perform far better than the Code’s minimum standards but increased minimum energy requirements in the 2022 revisions to the Code will deliver industry the certainty to roll this out nationwide – and drive down costs. At the same time, state and territory governments should encourage building materials and designs which are best suited to specific local environments.”