We would like to raise a toast to 2014 to make next year a success in catalysing environmental change, with exciting new projects and collaborations in the pipeline including:
- Sustainable Infrastructure initiatives: 2013 introduced some exciting projects in the infrastructure industry which will continue in 2014. Last year, we helped our clients position themselves to build some of Australia’s biggest infrastructure in a sustainable way by providing sustainability advice for consortium bids for the F3-M2 link, the Sydney Light Rail and the North West Rail Link, which is considered to be Australia’s most important infrastructure project since the Harbour Bridge. We provided advice around whole of life costing, material selection, sustainable design, carbon management and climate change. These are key components to achieving a leading rating under the ISCA Infrastructure Sustainability Tool. In partnership with our clients, we are confident that we will be implementing these sustainability initiatives during 2014 and beyond. The Infrastructure Sustainability (IS) rating scheme is developed and administered by the Infrastructure Sustainability Council of Australia (ISCA). IS is Australia’s only comprehensive rating system for evaluating sustainability across design, construction and operation of infrastructure.
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- Climate change resilience through the development of the BRRT (Building Resilience Rating Tool): This year has seen the resilience initiative progress through several key milestones including the live version of the web based Building Resilience Rating Tool and the first collaborative project for the Australian Resilience Raskforce. 2014 will see the launch of the Property Resilience and Exposure Programme and the development of a certification scheme for materials and products. A good year for increasing the resilience of built environments.
- Green Star: The GBCA’s mission – to develop a sustainable property sector in Australia and drive the adoption of green building practices through market based solutions, is one that requires continual attention as they achieve success with their members. In fulfilling this mission, the GBCA has been evolving the tools, initiatives and associated education courses that they deliver to enable market leaders to deliver new benchmarks in leading practice.In September the maximum number of points available in the Green Star Innovation category increased from 5 to 10 points and a number of “Innovation Challenges” were released to reward projects for adopting leading sustainability practices such as:
- Financial transparency and life cycle costing;
- Adaptation and resilience;
- Materials life cycle impacts;
- Environmental product declarations;
- Construction and demolition waste;
- Social return on investment; and
- Employment creation and procurement strategy.
Edge Environment congratulate the GBCA on their achievements to date and will continue to enjoy contributing to the endless pursuit of innovation for green buildings.
- EPDs: Environmental Product Declarations (EPDs) are proven business to business communication tools internationally. Established schemes include the US based UL Environment and in Europe IBU with with around 500 EPDs for construction products, the International EPD® System and BRE in UK to mention a few. EPDs are even becoming compulsory by law. The French Grenelle law demands that all high volume consumer products sold in France must have an EPD. It is anticipated that this policy may become commonplace in other EU countries as well. EPDs are being tested as a reporting mechanism for LCA in Green Star.A Memorandum of Understanding was signed this year between the peak bodies for LCA in Australia and New Zealand and the The Swedish Environmental Management Council to work together to establish, operate and maintain an Australasian EPD Scheme. The purpose of the Australasian EPD Scheme will be to enable industry to provide comprehensive environmental product information, consistent with relevant international standards and practices. By collaborating with the internationally, Australasia will link into and harmonise with an established scheme that already provides cross-sectoral PCRs and resources.