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CASE STUDY
Framing energy efficiency tools and policy
As Australia prepares for a lower carbon
future, and grapples with the security of
energy supply to meet the needs of a
growing population, the Council of Australian
Governments (COAG) released a National
Strategy for Energy Efficiency (NSEE) in
July 2009. Since the release of the strategy,
focus on energy efficiency has continued to
grow, particularly in the wake of the deferral
of the Carbon Pollution Reduction Scheme.
We have been responding to the actions
and intentions set out in the NSEE
strategy by informing policy and helping
to shape emerging, related regulation.
We have also provided guidance to peers
on understanding new energy efficiency
and reporting compliance requirements.
In particular, we have engaged with the
Department of Climate Change and Energy
Efficiency (DCCEE) to share our experiences
on realising eco-efficiency outcomes.
Distributed Energy National Forum
The NSEE proposed a national forum
on co-generation and tri-generation. We
hosted and participated in this dialogue
in June 2010. Participants agreed to
expand the forum’s remit to address
the challenges and opportunities with
distributed energy. The forum explored
existing barriers, and the work required by
government, industry bodies, the property
sector and the energy sector, to support
widespread implementation of distributed
energy solutions.
We are keen to explore significant distributed
energy solutions – however, we are mindful
of the barriers, particularly regulation and grid
connection. Our tri-generation plant at our
corporate headquarters, Stockhome, was
our first experience in local energy generation.
The next step is to realise greater
efficiencies across a group of
buildings and we recognise that
distributed energy supply will be
key in developing future precincts
and communities.
National Australian Built Environment
Rating System (NABERS) Retail –
Energy and Water
Over the past four years, we have contributed
to the development of NABERS Retail
by the New South Wales Department of
Environment, Climate Change and Water
(DECCW). We have supplied energy data
to assist DECCW with benchmarking the
performance of different types and sizes of
retail centres. The tool was released in late
2009, and we have now commenced rating
our shopping centres. We anticipate that
the tool will be required for future mandatory
disclosure of the energy performance of retail
centres. We will continue to test and review
the tool and provide feedback to DECCW.
A National Building Framework
for Eco-efficiency
A National Building Framework is being
developed as a key element of the National
Strategy of Energy Efficiency. The aim of the
framework is to provide consistency on how
buildings are assessed and rated for energy
efficiency, and to set out a pathway for
increasing minimum standards over time.
The framework is intended to:
• Apply to all classes of commercial
and residential buildings,
• Apply to new and existing buildings,
• Address both building fabric as well
as ‘hard-wired’ appliances (e.g. hot
water, lighting),
• Bring together assessment and rating
tools for existing and new buildings,
to support streamlined reporting and
measurement of building performance.
It is expected that the framework will be
extended over time to include greenhouse
gas emissions and water usage. Principles
informing the framework are expected
to be released later this year, while the
progress of setting targets is expected
to be undertaken in 2011. During this time
we will continue to engage with DCCEE,
particularly on establishing targets and
timeframes for eco-efficiency improvements
across our sector.
Calling for Incentives
Over the past three years, the property
sector has been impacted by a wide range
of energy and carbon related government
policies and regulations. During this time
we have welcomed the introduction of
a number of grants programs, such as
the Green Building Fund, designed to
assist with improved eco-efficiency in the
built environment. In FY10 we received
$1.16 million in co-funding from the Green
Building Fund for energy efficiency projects
in some of our office buildings. Each of
these programs has been limited in reach
and application. We see that there is wider
scope for more effective incentives to rapidly
lift the environmental performance of our
built environment. We have worked with
the Property Council of Australia (PCA)
and engaged with government to convey
our views.
Tri-generation plant, Stockhome, NSW
We have continued to support the PCA’s
push for accelerated green depreciation.
This mechanism would enable the retrofit
of existing income-earning buildings to a
high environmental performance standard
and bring forward the retrofitting cycle of
existing stock.
We have also supported the establishment
of a nationally-consistent energy
efficiency ‘white’ certificate scheme.
This would draw together existing state and
territory schemes and help deliver significant
greenhouse gas emission abatement.
Green doors’ would see sustainable
developments prioritised for development
assessment by state and local governments.
Stockland Corporate Responsibility & Sustainability Report June 2010
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