GBCA launches Carbon Positive Roadmap

A draft Carbon Positive Roadmap, which will help drive the smart buildings market, has been launched by the Green Building Council of Australia (GBCA).

The roadmap outlines an ambitious set of targets and actions that will support the built environment’s transition to net zero emissions by 2050.

According to Adam Beck, Executive Director of the Smart Cities Council Australia New Zealand, the roadmap represents an “unmissable opportunity” for technology and data solution suppliers and advisors in the emerging smart cities marketplace.

“This announcement today by the Green Building Council of Australia also provides an important driver for the greater digitalisation of the design, construction and operational performance of our built environment assets through the use of intelligent building information modelling tools,” said Beck.

“The Green Building Council of Australia’s roadmap is backed by some of the biggest developers and property owners in the country.

“Many of these companies have already committed to meet net zero emissions. But they won’t meet those targets without the help of smart technology and data solutions.”

Among the key commitments outlined in the Carbon Positive Roadmap, all new buildings and fit-outs will be emissions-neutral in operations by 2030, with existing buildings to follow by 2050.

“This means the property and construction industry will be incentivised to select products and services that drive down emissions,” Beck said.

“This will stimulate unprecedented demand for smart meters, Internet of Things devices, renewable energy solutions, battery storage systems and other technologies that promote grid decarbonisation, as well as energy-efficient systems and electric vehicles.”

Beck said any technology companies in doubt of the Carbon Positive Roadmap’s potential should look to the Green Star rating system, which has influenced the design and construction of nearly 40% of Australia’s commercial office space.

“Many of the property industry leaders, such as our Partner organisation lendlease, seized the sustainability agenda to gain market advantage, manage risk and attract investors. These same property leaders will lead the investment in smart buildings technologies and data solutions over the coming decade,” he said.

In anticipation of this next wave of technology investment to enhance property asset performance in the region, the Smart Cities Council Australian New Zealand and the Green Building Council of Australia are working on a new initiative — the Smart Buildings Centre of Excellence — to help ensure we build one of the world’s leading smart buildings marketplaces in the world.

More information about the Smart Buildings Centre of Excellence will be revealed at Smart Cities Week in Sydney, 29–31 October, where government and industry will gather for the premier smart cities event of the year.

The Carbon Positive Roadmap can be downloaded from the GBCA’s website: www.gbca.org.au.

Image credit: ©孤飞的鹤/Dollar Photo Club

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