The federal government has announced a decarbonisation plan for the built environment as part of its Net Zero 2050 plan.
Speaking at the Clean Energy Summit yesterday, Minister for Climate Change and Energy, Chris Bowen, said the Net Zero 2050 plan introduced by the previous government was just fantasy.
Bowen said that plan will be replaced by a new one that lays out robust actions for the electricity, industry, building, transport, resources and land sectors.
He said the new sector by sector decarbonisation plans would be crucial to laying out a pathway to net zero and to reach Australia’s 2035 emissions targets.
“The Albanese Government will be working with industry, the climate movement, experts, unions and the community to develop sectoral decarbonisation plans, “he said.
“I’ve listened to, and been struck by, advice from Australian and international investors that government-guided sectoral plans are vital for attracting billions in new investment in decarbonisation in Australia.”
Property Council CEO Mike Zorbas said Australia must decarbonise the built environment to reach its net zero goals.
“The Australian property sector is at the forefront of global sustainability efforts. We are well positioned to support Australia’s net zero goals as long as the signposts are clear,” Zorbas said.
“The Property Council has long advocated for a sector specific plan to guide that effort and today’s announcement is a welcome one.
“Buildings account for 50 per cent of Australia’s electricity use and 23 per cent of all emissions through their operations.
“The technology already exists today to decarbonise buildings – but we must do this as a priority and at scale.
“The shift to low carbon and resilient buildings needs a clear plan and steady trajectory that encourages market confidence.”
Master Builders Australia CEO Denita Wawn also welcomed the announcement adding that a clear plan will assist in attracting the investment needed to transition to net zero construction methods.
“To support this, we are advocating for integrating necessary measures into the National Construction Code (NCC), considering the workforce, supply chain, finalised frameworks, and education processes,” Wawn said.
“We continue to advocate for planning reforms that promote consistency across levels of government and strive for regulated standards to be freely available.”