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Office tenants want a greener perspective According to a recent survey performed on offices around Australia environmental sustainability is playing an increasingly important role in workplace relationship and design compared to three years ago.1 The research conducted by Colliers International, involved surveying 270 tenants of large commercial buildings in Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Adelaide, Canberra & Perth to find out the current and future expectations of tenants regarding issues such as workplace relocation and design, and tenant’s attitudes and demand for environmental sustainability in their workplace. The survey follows research that was conducted on similar workplace issues in 2005. The Research Director, Ms Spark said the most notable changes in the results of the 2008 survey compared to 2005 revolved around increased awareness of issues regarding environmental sustainability, including a significantly increased demand to occupy environmentally sustainable buildings and fit outs. Ms Spark, said that “Tenants have noticed staff are not automatically accepting the traditional office set up. They want to work in new, modern workplaces and they are very environmentally aware”.1 When it came to the most important attributes for tenants in attracting and retaining staff, the survey found the ranking of importance of building attributes remained very similar to the 2005 results with one outstanding change: the importance of a building’s environmental performance has moved up the list from #14 to #8. The survey found 77% of tenants are implementing environmental sustainability in their new workplace fit out in 2008, up from 49% in 2005. More than half of tenants surveyed said they believe there is strategic value to their business in occupying a green building and they would be prepared to pay more rent for this value. Ms Spark said the top drivers motivating tenants’ desire to occupy a green building in 2008 are Corporate Social Responsibility, operational cost savings and improved ability to attract and retain staff. 1 Furthermore, a considerable proportion of organisations now measure their carbon footprint (39%) and report on their environmental performance publicly (35%), questions which were not previously included in the 2005 survey.1 References 1 Article : Environment & workplace wellbeing key issues for Australian office tenants Colliers International media release, 2008-08-21 by Phoebe Miller Sydney, NSW, Australia
NSW Government release action plan for energy efficiency In June 2008, the Department of Environment and Climate Change NSW released it’s action plan outlining their proposal to increase energy efficiency across NSW. It conceded that “energy efficiency is one of the most cost effective ways to cut greenhouse gas emissions, cut power bills and reduce peak demand for electricity“.1 The energy efficiency action plan in part of a $340 million Climate Change Fund set up to administer the following programmes: • the $100 million Residential Rebate Program: – The hot water system rebate provides up to $1200 to switch from electric to solar, heat pump or gas hot water systems |
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– The ceiling insulation rebate provides half the cost of installing ceiling insulation in your home, up to a maximum of $300 • the $30 million NSW Green Business Program, to help businesses save energy and water in their operations • $30 million for energy and water efficiency in Public Facilities, such as libraries, sporting facilities and community buildings • a $20 million School Energy Efficiency Program.
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In order to assist businesses to implement the energy efficiency measures, 6000 small to medium businesses across NSW will receive help to conduct energy efficiency audits to save energy and reduce energy bills through the $15 million Small Business Energy Efficiency Program. Participating businesses will contribute 50% of the cost. The NSW Government will spend a further $20 million over five years to expand the Sustainability Advantage Program by 800 more to a total of 1000 organisations and strengthen energy efficiency initiatives. This helps companies analyse their energy saving opportunities, and to set and achieve energy savings goals. 1 As part of the plan, NSW Government agencies will have to meet greenhouse gas emissions targets for energy use in buildings and improve the energy efficiency of their office buildings. In addition to this the Government has already required the State’s 200 largest energy users to prepare energy savings action plans. They will now be required by law to implement the cost effective savings measures they have identified. All this has stemmed from the belief that increased energy efficiency in homes, businesses and industry can provide financial benefits through reduced electricity bills and reducing greenhouse gas emissions. The implementation of such measures will help to reduce emissions, as less energy will be used, and therefore in effect it “saves money, protects the environment, helps business and industry productivity and competitiveness”.1
References 1: NSW Government Action Plan for Energy Efficiency – June 2008 Department of Environment and Climate Change NSW http://www.environment.nsw.gov.au/resources/households/decc20080300energyfuture.pdf |