Energy Ministers have come to an agreement on the Trajectory for Low Energy Buildings, a national plan that will see Australian buildings aim to be zero energy (and carbon) ready, according to the COAG Energy Council.
The Trajectory identifies opportunities for the building sector in the context of a broader trajectory for the sector, and in summary proposes:
- Setting a trajectory towards zero energy (and carbon) ready buildings
- Implementing cost- effective increases to the energy efficiency provisions in the National Construction Code (NCC) for residential and commercial buildings from 2020
- Considering options for improving existing buildings in late 2019
The Trajectory, and its underlying reports, seek to inform the future activities of the Building Ministers’ Forum and the Australian Building Codes Board when developing and implementing updates to the NCC, and to inform further Energy Council activities around building policy measures.
The report outlines a year by year trajectory for both residential and commercial buildings, demonstrating an increase in cost-effective energy efficiency and the importance of reevaluation throughout the process.
By 2028, both residential and commercial zero energy (and carbon) ready buildings should have an energy efficient thermal shell and appliances, have sufficiently low energy use and be ready to achieve net zero energy (and carbon) usage if combined with renewable or decarbonised energy systems on- or off-site.
To view the full report, click here.