ASBEC and the CRC for Low Carbon Living (CRCLCL) hosted the first National Housing Forum in July. The Forum brought together leaders and experts to discuss opportunities and challenges for the housing sector to contribute towards Australia’s emission reduction goals.
Participants formed a united industry approach to working with government and moving forward with actionable recommendations that support the transition to a low carbon future.
Recommendations include:
- A more ambitious building energy regulatory target to be put in place for new housing;
- Regulation of energy standards for rental properties to protect the most vulnerable to energy poverty;
- Disclosure of energy performance should be mandated to provide independent information and empower consumers;
- Incentives should be established to drive the market beyond minimum regulations;
- Greater effort should be made to engage the community through the development and promotion of exemplars, providing tangible examples of low carbon housing.
The Forum outcomes complement the findings of ASBEC’s Low Carbon High Performance and National Framework for Residential Rating reports, by further unlocking the potential emissions reductions in the built environment, and cementing the industry’s commitment to follow through with support from government.
The CRCLCL is currently funding research in South Australia to make low and zero carbon housing a reality, with positive support from communities and evidence of significant economic gains.
Full CRCLCL media release here.