New CEO: “Zero carbon future in focus”
20 June 2019
Triving forward the decarbonisation of
Australia’s
built environment is a top priority for incoming
Green
Building Council of Australia (GBCA) Chief Executive Officer, Davina
Rooney, who takes the reins from today.
The former General Manager of Sustainability and Corporate Procurement
at
Stockland, says progressing the impressive legacy of predecessor
Romilly Madew AO is all about helping realise a zero carbon future.
“Twelve months ago the GBCA kicked off what has been an extremely deep
and meaningful consultation with industry about the evolution of
Green
Star,” Ms Rooney said.
“Since 2003 we’ve seen more than 2,250 projects registered under Green
Star – an absolutely phenomenal achievement and one we are determined to
build on even further.
“I am thrilled to have the opportunity to take forward the
transformational work Romilly, the entire GBCA team and its members
commenced with the evolution of the Green Star rating tools that we call
Future Focus.
“The net zero benchmark has been set – now we’re navigating the path to
achieving it. And we’re doing it in partnership with industry.
“We’ve had almost 600 participants in the consultations to date which is
a powerful testament to industry’s engagement and passion for leading
the net zero transformation. It’s also exciting to see that in addition
to feedback, we are starting to receive applications to our early access
program for our new rating tool.”
Submissions on the most recent consultation paper, Green Star for New
Buildings, will remain open until the end of this week.
“What is clear in the proposals for Green Star’s evolution that we’ve
put to industry is that we have listened and taken on board their
feedback,” Ms Rooney said.
“That’s why when 100% of respondents agreed that Green Star buildings
should meet the Paris Agreement target of 1.5°C, we have proposed that
all 6 Star Green Star buildings be mandated net zero carbon.
“Critically, we are also making Green Star more accessible while both
maintaining and increasing our standards.
“We want to enable people working on Green Star projects to spend more
time focusing on the sustainability outcomes and less on the
certification paperwork.
“Decarbonisation is an enduring priority and while we are simplifying
Green Star by focussing on a set of minimum, across-the-board criteria,
we are also embedding carbon priorities in the process.”
Ms Rooney said the GBCA’s Carbon Positive Roadmap outlined the policies
and actions required to achieve decarbonisation in the built environment
and contribute to Australia’s international carbon-reduction
obligations. One of the key steps is creating sustainable buildings
through government-led procurement.
“I look forward to engaging with the Morrison Government and Emissions
Reductions Minister Angus Taylor in particular, to work through the
steps Australia needs to take to achieve decarbonisation in the built
environment and realise the huge opportunity it offers to reduce carbon
emissions,” she said.
“We will continue to put forward solutions, like increasing minimum
standards so that Australia’s entire construction sector is playing its
part in reducing emissions.
“With the residential sector accounting for 57 per cent of our built
environment emissions, we need a clear standard for housing and I look
forward to continuing the work with GBCA’s Future Homes Champions to
develop and deliver that standard.”
Ms Rooney also paid tribute to the GBCA Board and Interim Chief
Executive Officer Jonathan Cartledge, for their support during the
transition period and looked forward starting her tenure with a program
of in-depth engagement with members.
--ENDS--
Source: Green Building Council of Australia - www.gbca.org.au
Contact: N/A
External Links: Green Star for New Buildings, https://new.gbca.org.au/green-star/future-focus/
Recent news by: Green Building Council of Australia