Show us your plan for cutting emissions
The NZ Green Building Council wrote to Climate Change Minister James Shaw in March, asking him to take urgent action on cutting carbon emissions from all buildings. Here’s the thrust of the letter:
“The Greens’ plan for sustainable buildings included a commitment to ensure new government buildings are built to high environmental standards. As government is the largest and most significant owner and occupier of buildings in Aotearoa, this commitment is key to cutting carbon pollution from all buildings.
“A commitment that government will only build to environmental standards, such as Green Star, will send a clear signal to all in the building and construction sector that our industry is going to play an important part in achieving a zero carbon Aotearoa. This is an urgent matter. New Zealand’s built environment is responsible for approximately 20 per cent of the country’s carbon emissions, and the climate change pollution from construction soared in the September quarter to record levels.
“We know that our sector is playing a key role in boosting the economy, but we also want our sector to play a similar role in a greener, healthier, zero carbon Aotearoa. Without a clear government commitment to only build green, we may not be able to do so.
“Green Star is how the sector certifies our buildings and we strongly suggest government do so too. Given the agreement between the Greens and Labour on this issue, the election promises by both parties and the urgency of the issue, we hope to see in the very near future a public commitment that all new government buildings are built to be healthy, green, low carbon places.”
Shaw responded by saying that the building and construction sector can, and should, play a key role in helping create a low-carbon future for New Zealand. The independent Climate Change Commission has identified some opportunities in this area, particularly around energy efficiency and construction materials.
Shaw urged the council to submit on the Government’s Emissions Reduction Plan that will be published later this year, as it would play an important role in decarbonising buildings. It remains unclear whether or when the Government will mandate that all new public sector buildings meet a zero carbon standard, and the council is still pursuing the issue.