As part of our business goal to facilitate the shift towards a truly sustainable built environment in Australia, Edge Environment is currently working with the Green Building Council of Australia (GBCA) as part of the Technical Advisory Group developing the next version of Green Star Design & As Built. Associate Director Marlon Kobacker, with over 10 years of Green Star project experience, hopes that the next version of the tool will be cheaper and easier to use so more projects can achieve a rating at no extra cost, or at a cost saving over a given life cycle. With our building-scale life cycle cost optimisation capabilities, we are hoping to see Green Star certification produce cost savings to every certified project.
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.