New building codes to help industry reach net zero

Published by Build Australia: Australia’s latest efforts to reduce carbon emissions have culminated with the Green Building Council of Australia’s new Carbon Positive Roadmap for the built environment. The roadmap’s main goal is to reach net zero emissions by 2050. By 2030, Australia hopes to get parts of the country running on 50 per cent renewable energy, some on 100 per cent. Additionally, each new precinct design must be climate positive by the same year. The GBCA Roadmap also recommends that architects and builders utilise low-energy-intensive or net zero products and services, including electric vehicles and automated appliances. Upgrading items like refrigerators, dishwashers and washing machines with Green Star-certified machines can significantly improve a building’s energy efficiency.

While the building’s operations are undeniably important for reaching net zero, construction materials can have the greatest impact. According to New Buildings Institute, embodied carbon in construction materials alone makes up 11 per cent of emissions around the world.