Best of the best in green design: drivers and barriers to sustainable development in Australia

Abstract

According to the Green Building Council of Australia's Chief executive, Romilly Madew, "Buildings in this country account for 23% of Australia's greenhouse gas emissions." (Green Building Council Australia, 2007).¹ Improving energy efficiency of buildings is the quickest and most cost effective way of reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. Fortunately, there is a growing demand for sustainable, energy efficient buildings. According to a global survey of commercial building occupiers by Jones Lang LaSalle and CoreNet Global in September 2008, over 40% of corporate real estate executives will still pay up to 10% more rent to occupy a sustainable building despite the financial downturn.² Additionally, in Jones Lang LaSalle's annual Survey of Investor Sentiment (November 2008), 18% of investors said that they will still pay more for a sustainable building, all other things being equal, compared to 29% in 2007.³ Achieving green ratings (Greenstar and NABERS) increased in importance as a driver from 64% in 2006 to 74% in 2008.⁴This paper outlines the results of research carried out in Australia in 2009. The broad aims of the research are to identify property stakeholders' motivations for, and experiences of, achieving proven examples of best practice in sustainable development, and to assess the incentives, barriers, costs, and benefits involved. If the knowledge gap and barriers to uptake of sustainability practices are addressed, the Australian property industry presents a unique opportunity to achieve innovation and global best practice in sustainable outcomes.