The Better Buildings Partnership, made up of top Sydney commercial office landlords, has reached the halfway point in its mission to reduce carbon emissions by 70 per cent by 2030.
Latest figures show the partnership, which covers more than half of Sydney CBD’s commercial floor space, has reduced emissions by 35 per cent based on 2006 levels.
Lord Mayor Clover Moore said BBP members had cut energy bills by $30 million a year since the partnership was established and last year cut 113,000 tonnes of carbon emissions.
“This year’s results exceeded the BBP’s emissions reduction target again and sets a terrific example to others on just how much can be achieved when we all work together,” she said.
“Over half of our city’s greenhouse gas emissions come from commercial buildings, so it’s important that governments and businesses work together to reduce their environmental impact.
“Through collaboration and commitment, the BBP has reaffirmed Australia’s major property owners’ reputation as global leaders in sustainability.”
Sustainability performance has been improved through measures such as building system upgrades, trigeneration systems and water recycling.
DEXUS chief executive Darren Steinberg said the BBP was an ideal platform to share and test innovative approaches to better environmental outcomes.
“The success of our NABERS upgrade program was driven by refurbishing existing systems to improve environmental monitoring and outputs, providing a cost effective solution to improve the environmental performance of our properties,” Mr Steinberg said.
“At 44 Market Street, Sydney we were able to achieve a 68 per cent reduction in emissions through a building refurbishment that has transformed a normally less than efficient dual duct plant system. As a result the building’s NABERS Energy Rating improved to five stars in 2015, from one star at inception of the project.”
The City of Sydney has worked closely with the BBP on the development of its new draft energy efficiency master plan.
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“The BBP has been able to share vital information about their energy saving successes to inform this important plan,” Ms Moore said.
“We hope all businesses and residents will get on board and follow in the BBP’s footsteps and together we can make Sydney one of the world’s most resilient and efficient cities.”