ASBEC has released a Discussion Paper as a contribution to the ongoing national conversation about the critical role of the built environment in delivering Australia’s net zero emissions by 2050 target.

While there is widespread support among Australia’s largest property companies to decarbonise building operations and tackle climate change, more analysis and guidance is needed on the least-cost pathways to deliver on these ambitions across the sector.

The “Rapid and Least Cost Decarbonisation of Building Operations” project aims to create resources for industry and government that set out the decarbonisation options available to building owners, managers and developers, and the likely take up of those options in various scenarios over time.

For possibly the first time, scenarios that combine actions at the building level coupled with strategies to decarbonise energy supply to achieve net zero will be explored together. The project encompasses new and existing, commercial and residential buildings.

This discussion paper is a first step to engaging the broad group of stakeholders that will contribute to Australia’s built environment achieving net zero operational emissions.

A consultation period was held over February and May 2022, yielding a rich body of submissions from diverse stakeholders.

Stakeholder feedback will shape further analysis and modelling, with the final report providing:

• A detailed inventory of operational emissions (scope 1 and scope 2) in residential and commercial buildings
• A detailed characterisation of decarbonisation options available to building owners, and the internal costs, benefits and barriers associated with each option
• Modelling which considers the likely take up of decarbonisation options in at least three divergent scenarios for decarbonisation of fuel sources (including electricity, gas, biofuels and hydrogen)
• Analysis of implications for industry and government.

A free webinar hosted by the Green Building Council of Australia was held on 8 March 2022 providing an opportunity to hear directly from the consultants leading the project and join the conversation.

Support for this project is being provided by consultants Strategy Policy Research (SPR), DeltaQ and Watt Advocacy & Communications. Project funding has been provided by the Australian Government Department of Industry, Science, Energy & Resources (DISER) and NSW Government Department of Planning, Industry & Environment (DPIE).

Download the Rapid and Least Cost Decarbonisation of Building Operations Discussion Paper here