New building and precinct standards for reaching net zero emissions

Developers and building owners should review the new national voluntary standards that allow buildings and precincts to achieve carbon neutrality or net zero emissions.

On 30 November 2016, the Commonwealth Department of Environment and Energy released a draft National Carbon Offset Standard for Buildings and draft National Carbon Offset Standard for Precincts.

The draft Standards are voluntary standards for carbon neutral buildings and precincts in Australia and expand on the National Carbon Offset Standards that have been available for organisations and products and services since 2010.

The draft Standards will assist building owners to measure, reduce and offset any operational emissions and give tenants guidance as to the carbon neutrality of their building or precinct.