Ahead of the COAG Energy Ministers meeting on 18-19 December 2018, consumer and housing groups have rallied together to call for higher energy efficiency standards for new and existing homes in the National Construction Code.

36 housing and consumer groups have signed a joint statement calling on COAG energy ministers to commit to higher energy performance standards in the next update of the National Construction Code from 2022 and mandatory minimum energy efficiency standards for rental properties. Drawing on ASBEC and ClimateWorks’ Built to Perform report, this joint statement emphasises how any effort to bring down energy bills must also address housing efficiency.

The joint statement calls for:

1. Improved energy performance standards for new homes and major renovations
2. Improved energy performance standards for existing homes, including fixed appliances
3. Targeted measures to overcome the barriers to improved energy performance in low income households

More information here