Buildings are responsible for 23% of Australia's greenhouse gas emissions. Investing in green technology and building design can significantly reduce this environmental impact. The document discusses how a green building incorporates practices to reduce its negative impact. It also outlines existing voluntary and mandatory approaches for improving energy efficiency in the built environment. The author suggests alternatives like an energy efficiency trading scheme could help lower emissions from buildings.

1. Energy
Efficiency
Investment in
Green
Technology
By Dermot Duncan

2. Overview
 A green building can be described “as one
that incorporates design, construction and
operational practices that significantly
reduce or eliminate the negative impact of
development on the environment and
occupants”
 Buildings are responsible for producing
almost 23% of Australia‟s GHG emissions.
 It has been suggested that a 25% rise in
peak wind gusts can produce an increase of
650% physical damage to buildings…and a
1°C rise in temperature will double the urban
infrastructure‟s exposure to flooding, with a
significant increase in catastrophic fires.

3. Overview Cont.
 Built Environment is not „directly‟ included
under the CPRS: however, some may be
captured under the NGER Act.
 Existing „voluntary‟ approaches for the built
environment are: NABERs; and Green Star
Rating tools.
 One „mandatory‟ approach is „J‟ of Building
Code of Australia is the only mandatory design
performance requirement .
 Alternatives: Energy Efficiency Trading
Scheme (similar to the Carbon reduction
Commitment in the UK)
 White Paper: COAG agreed in October 2008 to
develop the National Strategy for energy
Efficiency.

4. Scope Implement Operate
Evaluate

5. Project
Corporations Act
• Reporting (s.299(1)(f))
• Business Judgment Rule (s.180(2) and
181)

6. Project Cont.
ASX Corporate Governance Principles
• Ethical Decision Making (Principle 3)
• Risk Management (Principle 7)

7. Project Cont.
Carbon Pollution Legislation
• CPRS
• NGER Act
• Renewable Energy Target (RET)
• Net Solar Feed in Tariff (NSW)
• Basix/Nabers/Green Star

8. Project Cont.
Legal Risks
•Legislative Liability
• Tortious Liability
• Contractual Liability
• Insurance

9. Project Cont.
Miscellaneous
• Environmental Corporate Social Responsibility
• Principles for Responsible Investment (PRI)
• ISO 14000
• AS 8003

10. Project Cont.
Government‟s
Federal Stimulus
Package
• Roof Insulation Materials for around 2.7
million homes.
• Solar Water Rebate for homes already
with insulation.
•What about PFI/Prudential
Borrowing/Credit Guarantee Finance?

11. Phase 1: Scope
Corporate/Business/Project
•Carbon Audit
• Supply Chain
• Disclosure
• Legislative Drivers

12. Phase 2: Evaluate
Technical Solutions
• Financial Costs
• Reputations Benefits
• Legislative Obligations

13. Phase 3:
Implement
•Soft Green Projects (low capex)
• Hard Green Projects (high capex)
• Payback/Savings
• Planning/Consultation
• Lease/Contract Structure

14. Phase 4: Maintain
• Life of the Technology
• Terms of the Contract.
• Partnership

15. Conclusion
• Does Voluntary action change anything?
• Will the CPRS will implemented in July 2010?
• Does the Government have a Demand Side
Abatement Obsession?

16. Thank you
Any further questions can be forwarded to my details below:
• (e) dermot_duncan@hotmail.com
• (m) 0422 082 195