Australia is entering its "critical decade" for fighting climate change and construction standards must be brought up to speed to arrest its "catastrophic" consequences.
This was the assessment of the Green Building Council's incoming chief executive Davina Rooney, who will start in the role from June 11 after spending more than a decade heading up Stockland's sustainability initiatives.
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| Green Building Council's incoming chief executive Davina Rooney. Louie Douvis |
"This is the critical decade that we have to take our asset communities and line them up to take them down to net zero [carbon emissions] so we can avoid the catastrophic effects of climate change," Ms Rooney said.
Key to this would be increased focus on long-term planning for the GBCA's initiatives, according to Ms Rooney, and she flagged her interest to start this with the Council's in development "Future Homes" policy.
The policy, which is in consultation with GBCA members at the moment, touts a new holistic approach to a housing development that takes into account numerous environmental factors.
For example, a house would be verified under the program based on its carbon-neutral performance through renewable energy generation like rooftop solar panels and its ability to adapt to future challenges that stem from climate change.
The "Future Homes" policy development is set to near its end in the latter half of 2019 when a first draft of the policy would be released, and the first pilot projects that use the rating system would begin.
As a voluntary rating tool, Ms Rooney was keen to note that "Future Homes" would not touch all of the construction industry but would instead provide the leadership in standards.
"[Rating tools] can provide the thought leadership that helps to work with rising minimum standards, which will raise all of the boats," she said.
"We do have to recognise that voluntary tools are one lever. Increasing minimum standards so that it is what's delivered on any project big or small anywhere is necessary for the overall trajectory change we need."
Ms Rooney said broadening this policy to touch mid and lower tier operators would be a "critical aspect" of her leadership as she sought to ensure the nation's construction sector played its part in reducing emissions heading towards 2030.
"If you look at the latest [Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change] reports they're actually saying we are going to have to move to net zero [emissions] sooner than we thought," she said.
"We are really excited to work with new partners as we go into the critical decade as we seek to deliver against the Paris agreements."
The renewed focus on broader topics marks a significant change between Ms Rooney and her predecessor, Romilly Madew, who was often criticised for a singular focus on just the "Green Star" rating tool.
Used on commercial office spaces, apartment complexes, and shopping centres the GBCA uses the tool to rate large scale developments.
Ms Madew, who was the chief executive from 2006 until her resignation earlier this year, even drew fire from the GBCA's founders for watering down the standards to capitalise on the popularity of sustainability rating systems.
Ms Madew announced her intention to step down in January after she was appointed to the role of chief executive of Infrastructure Australia.
Ms Rooney congratulated Ms Madew on her new position, which she starts in April, and hoped the previous connection would lead to a better working relationship with government.
Links
- Climate Change Threatens Property And Lives, But Politicians Fail To Work Together
- Building Code Not Ready For Climate Change
- Australian Institute of Architects
- Assessing the climate change adaptability of buildings
- Australia’s policies on climate change
- Adapting to climate change
- Current and future impacts of climate change on housing, buildings and infrastructure
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