Decarbonising Commercial Buildings

Abstract

This chapter explores the decarbonisation of existing and new Australian commercial office buildings. In doing so, it firstly summarises government frameworks and rating systems to outline targets, pathways and strategies that have already been put in place. It then highlights opportunities for commercial building design teams to reduce operating emissions under the headings of ‘energy efficiency’, ‘active technologies’ and ‘grid decarbonisation’. Specific challenges to the commercial building industry are presented, along with additional considerations in terms of embodied carbon and precinct level carbon reduction. The chapter concludes by identifying key areas where industry focus is necessary to accelerate the decarbonisation of the commercial building sector beyond current trends.