Accounting for around 55 per cent, the City of Sydney (the City) recognised that energy used in the operation of buildings is the largest contributor to Greenhouse Gas (GHG) emissions in Greater Sydney.
The City commissioned a report looking at how the City and other Greater Sydney councils can embed optimum energy efficiency, on-site renewable energy and off-site renewable energy to set a path to net zero in the planning and design process for larger buildings.
Authored by WSP together with Common Capital and WT Partnership, the 'Planning for Net Zero Energy Buildings' technical project report focused on reviewing performance standards to achieve high-performing net zero energy buildings in Greater Sydney, proposing performance standards as well as controls within the planning system.
Acknowledging performance standards are step change improvements in energy performance to transition to net zero energy developments and implementing the standards has a tangible impact on lowering GHG emissions in the built environment, in 2021 the City announced that new developments in Sydney's CBD and surrounding suburbs must be able to offset as much energy as they expand. Under the new requirements, development applications for office buildings, hotels and high-rise apartment blocks must comply with minimum energy ratings from January 2023 and achieve net-zero energy output from 2026.
Developing performance standards
Beginning in 2018, the program of work undertaken for the report included:
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Identifying the most appropriate performance standards (or targets) that, if met, can achieve high-performing, net zero energy office, shopping centre, hotel, multi-unit residential, and mixed-use developments (including new and major refurbishments) and that could be incorporated into planning controls.
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Developing an evidence base, including stakeholder engagement and a robust cost benefit analysis, to support the recommended performance standards.
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Recommending approaches to implement the performance standards within the NSW planning system.
The program of work was informed by two City of Sydney-facilitated industry and government forums held in 2018 and the performance standards presented at a briefing in March 2021.
“It’s brilliant to see these insights turned into actions,” says Katie Fallowfield, WSP’s Director of Sustainability.
“Sustainability has historically been applied in a way that facilitates outcomes that are, less bad. With these new controls, it will provide the City and Greater Sydney a clear pathway and scope for us to work alongside developers to meet ambitious but achievable net zero goals.
“There is growing alignment between developer’s goals for delivering sustainable buildings and the Net Zero targets that they have set, and the guidelines and standards now endorsed by The City of Sydney Council will facilitate that.”
Report recommendations
The building and construction sector remain a critical element in the race to keep carbon emissions below dangerous levels for our planet. Buildings consume 36 per cent of energy produced and are responsible for 39 per cent of global carbon emissions, making it the largest contributing sector to climate change, according to the Advancing Net Zero Status Report 2020 produced by the World Green Building Council.
Recommendations included in the Planning for Net Zero Energy Buildings report for the City of Sydney are:
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Incorporate targets into planning controls
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Advocate to implement targets in legislation and state policies
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Update regional and district plans to support implementation
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Embed methods to recognise off-site renewables in planning
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Update design and planning tools to maintain relevance
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Provide education programs for councils, industry and community
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Explore mandatory building performance disclosure for more asset classes
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Advocate for the extension of targets to support the use of off-site renewables.
Toward a Net Zero Sydney
WSP has committed to halving the carbon footprint of our designs and advice, and is working across industries to do so. If the City of Sydney Council wants to achieve their ambitious target of Net Zero by 2035, they will have to do the same.
We can aim for buildings to become electrified and more efficient, but it’s also important to consider how people might travel there and how they will source the energy they use. It requires everyone to think and act more holistically. For Sydney, there’s no denying that property is a key piece of the puzzle. According to Sydney Mayor, Clover Moore, office space, hotels and apartment buildings contributed 68 per cent of total emissions in the city.
While the City of Sydney’s new measures focus on commercial buildings, residential building codes will also need consideration. A report by WSP For Waverley Council titled Future Proofing Residential Development to Climate Change, published in 2021, found that all dwelling types tested failed the current BASIX Thermal Comfort requirements for cooling in 2030 and 2070, highlighting a need to not just increase code requirements, but also start to design for future climates to improve resilience to the conditions we will be experiencing more frequently.
Recent updates to the National Construction Code will have a positive impact on the energy efficiency of new residential buildings, which is a step in the right direction. But does not impose the Net Zero outcomes required by the City of Sydney for other building types.
The challenge now is to envisage how similar standards will be adopted around Australia so that these requirements would become standard practice across the industry.
Download the 'Planning for Net Zero Energy Buildings' report here:
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