The ACT Government have released their 2019-2025 climate strategy, which includes three points related to energy efficient rental properties.

Under the new strategy, the ACT has committed to reducing emissions, from 1990 levels, by 50-60% by 2025 and transitioning to net zero by 2045.

The strategy places a strong emphasis on reducing emissions from the transport and gas sectors. It also recognises the need for climate-wise, zero emission, rental homes and includes three commitments to improve the energy efficiency of rental properties:

• Introduce mandatory minimum disclosure of energy performance for all rental properties
• By 2021 introduce legislation for staged minimum energy performance requirements for rental properties to come in force in 2022-23
• Expand the Actsmart Home Energy Program to provide free, tailored in-home energy assessments for renters.

Other key priorities identified in the strategy include:

• Improve energy performance and climate change resilience requirements for new buildings
• Improve liveability and adapt to the impacts of climate change by implementing Canberra’s Living Infrastructure Plan
• Consider the social cost of carbon in government procurement and capital works
• Shift to high efficiency, all-electric and climate-wise Government buildings and facilities.
• Support higher uptake of public transport by continuing to improve services to meet community travel needs.
• Encourage active travel by continuing to improve cycle paths and walkability.
• Continue to encourage the uptake of zero emissions vehicles and explore the need for further incentives.

This strategy replaces the previous Climate Change Strategy and Action Plan 2 (2012) and the Climate Change Adaptation Strategy (2016) and is complemented by Canberra’s Living Infrastructure Plan: Cooling the City. It is aligned with the ACT Planning Strategy 2018, the ACT Housing Strategy (2018) and the draft Moving Canberra: Integrated Transport Strategy.

More information here