Aggressive Focus on Greening our buildings
GDI has approached the "Green Space" aggressively by piloting and implementing an energy performance program designed to measure, assess and improve the utility (energy & water) performance of our property portfolio.
The GDI "Go-Green" program was piloted in WA expanded to South Australia and is currently being rolled out across NSW, Tasmania and Queensland. This aggressive program incorporates utility audits, Nabers ratings, energy procurement improvements, a formal utility monitoring program and Green Building Fund (GBF) applications where appropriate.
Program Outcomes
Three GBF grants have been awarded where 50% of efficiency based capital projects are being funded by the Federal Government. Energy procurement outcomes at many properties have facilitated annual electricity cost reductions of between 9% and 15% over the next three years in a market where energy tariff costs are increasing.
Achievable emissions reductions targets have been set at the audited properties, many of which aim to reduce base building CO2 emissions by up to 20% over three years.
Compliance
Sustainability and emissions reporting now a mandatory requirement for commercial property owners when leasing space above 2000m2 or selling assets above 2000m2. Legislation is already in place for large consumers and voluntary rating systems are fast becoming a necessary marketing tool for attracting tenants. Mandatory reporting will soon be legislated and is due to be implemented late in 2010.
GDI are partnering with industry leading sustainability consultants HFM Asset Management Pty Ltd to measure and implement our "Go Green" Program and advise of upcoming regulatory requirements.
Rating Tools
NABERS (National Australian Building Environment Rating System)
NABERS is a performance-based rating system for existing buildings. NABERS rates a building on the basis of its measured operational impacts on the environment, and provides a simple indication of how well you are managing these environmental impacts compared with your peers and neighbours (www.nabers.com.au)
NABERS - the National Australian Built Environment Rating System - is a national initiative managed by the NSW Department of Environment, Climate Change and Water.
A NABERS Office Energy rating is the measurement of carbon dioxide emissions resulting from energy use within an office building over a historical 12 month period.
An accredited NABERS assessor is required to gather a range of information to calculate the ratings.
An online calculator is then used to punch in the key inputs and the result is displayed in emissions per square meter. The result is displayed as a star rating from 0 to 5. 0 is poor, 5 is excellent.
Compliance
Website extract
(Reference website: www.cbd.gov.au )
Commercial Building Disclosure (CBD) is a national program designed to improve the energy efficiency of Australia’s large office buildings.
Under the program, from 1 November 2010 most sellers or lessors of office space of 2,000 square metres or more will be required to obtain and disclose an up-to-date energy efficiency rating. Certain exceptions and exemptions apply (see Exemptions).
There is a transition period for the first year of the program where a valid National Australian Built Environment Rating System (NABERS) Energy base or whole building rating can be disclosed (see Transition Period).
From 1 November 2011 a full Building Energy Efficiency Certificate (BEEC) will need to be disclosed. BEECs are valid for 12 months, must be publicly accessible on the online Building Energy Efficiency Register, and include:
• a NABERS Energy star rating for the building
• an assessment of tenancy lighting in the area of the building that is being sold or leased and
• general energy efficiency guidance
The NABERS Energy star rating (exclusive of GreenPower) must also be included in any advertisement for the sale, lease or sublease of the office space.
The CBD program has been developed by the Australian, state and territory governments, as part of a broad package of measures to encourage building energy efficiency. The program is managed by the Australian Government Department of Climate Change and Energy Efficiency.
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