Trajectory for Low Energy Buildings

On 1 February 2019, Energy Ministers agreed on the Trajectory for Low Energy Buildings, a national plan that sets a trajectory towards zero energy (and carbon) ready buildings for Australia. The Trajectory identifies opportunities for the building sector in the context of a broader trajectory for the sector, and in summary, proposes: 

• Setting a trajectory towards zero energy (and carbon) ready buildings 
• Implementing cost-effective increases to the energy efficiency provisions in the National Construction Code (NCC) for residential and commercial buildings from 2022 
• Considering options for improving existing buildings in late 2019. 

The Trajectory, and its underlying reports, seek to inform the future activities of the Building Ministers' Forum and the Australian Building Codes Board when developing and implementing updates to the NCC and to inform further Energy Council activities around building policy measures. 

Update: On 22 November 2019 Energy Ministers agreed to the Addendum to the Trajectory for Low Energy Buildings – Existing Buildings. The Trajectory Addendum is the second stage of the national plan for a trajectory towards zero energy (and carbon) ready buildings for Australia. It provides a suite of initiatives to improve the energy efficiency of existing buildings in Australia, and in summary proposes: 

• Developing information, training, and energy rating tools for households and businesses to enable a greater understanding of energy efficiency options and applications. 
• Developing and expanding targeted building policies, including disclosure of energy performance, minimum energy efficiency standards for rental properties, renovations and refurbishments, improving heating, ventilation, and cooling, and energy productivity in government operations. 
• Identifying and developing supporting measures, including specific measures for strata-titled buildings, financial initiatives, appliance standards, and labelling, specific measures for vulnerable households, a national dataset and collection process for existing homes, and other targeted initiatives. 

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