pitt&sherry, in conjunction with Swinburne University, is working with key stakeholders from Australia’s building industry to deliver recommendations for the National Energy Efficient Building Project (NEEBP).

Energy used in buildings accounts for approximately 20 per cent of Australia’s energy related greenhouse gas emissions, according to the Australian Building Codes Board¹.

As a result, the National Strategy on Energy Efficiency, introduced in 2009, is targeting improved energy efficiency in Australian buildings through the NEEBP.

According to Phil Harrington, Principal Consultant & Manager – Carbon & Energy at pitt&sherry, “the national review is seeking to identify the many and varied points in the construction-cycle where the energy efficiency requirements of the National Construction Code are not being achieved.

“The NEEBP is keen to understand the views of key stakeholders from the building industry Australia-wide, and to deliver advice on where the key problems lie and how they might be addressed,” said Harrington.

The national review will involve two phases, with the first including the following key projects:

• A national review of key systematic or process weaknesses, and common points of non-compliance with the energy efficiency requirements of the National Construction Code
• A national review of the uniformity and effectiveness of current standards or regulations to deliver energy efficient alterations, additions or retrofits
• A national information register of materials that support industry capacity to understand, implement and comply with the energy efficiency provisions of the National Construction Code.

Phase two, from March next year, will develop and trial practical strategies to address problems wherever they occur in the construction cycle.

“These strategies will be identified in phase one and could include activities as broad as industry capacity building, changes to policy or regulations, or voluntary guidelines or standards,” explained Harrington.

A large team of consultants from pitt&sherry and Swinburne has conducted workshops across Australia to gather information for the NEEBP review.

The team is now developing focused, practical recommendations on how government and industry can improve energy efficiency in buildings throughout Australia.

The consulting team is continuing to engage with those involved in the building cycle, including concept and design, assessment and approvals, building, fit-out and handover. A national online survey is available at at https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/NEEBP.

NEEBP, funded through the National Strategy on Energy Efficiency, is being led by the South Australian government on behalf of all states and territories.