Net zero goal for new Sydney CBD buildings from 2026

For the first time, City of Sydney is proposing that DAs to build or redevelop hotels and shopping centres must achieve a minimum National Australian Built Environment Rating System (NABERS) environmental rating, in this case four stars.

It also wants to increase the existing NABERS rating for office buildings from five stars to 5.5 stars by the start of 2023.

From 2026, the council said all commercial DAs must demonstrate how the building in question can achieve net zero carbon emissions.

Lord Mayor Clover Moore said commercial office space, hotels and apartment buildings (which come under the NSW Government’s BASIX legislation and are not included in the proposed changes) contribute 68 per cent of total emissions to the City of Sydney LGA.

She said the measures are expected to save more than $1.3 billion on energy bills for investors, businesses and occupants between 2023 and 2040.

“Energy use in buildings is a significant contributor to greenhouse gas emissions,” Ms Moore said.

Neil Arckless, executive development director at Lendlease, supported the new standards, which still need to be approved by the NSW government.

“At Lendlease we recently set our own pathway to net zero carbon by 2025 and absolute zero by 2040,” Mr Arckless said.

“I’m confident we can all rise to the challenge.”

Louise Mason, Stockland chief executive commercial property, strongly endorsed the ambitious net-zero approach.

“We have brought forward our target to achieve net zero carbon emissions to 2028 and extended the commitment across our entire portfolio, covering close to 170 active assets and projects Australia-wide,” Ms Mason said.