The number of Australian buildings receiving Green Star Certification from the Green Building Council of Australia has risen in the past two years.
In 2003, the Green Building Council of Australia launched their Green Star rating system for environmental design and construction – Australia's first comprehensive certification system to cover energy and water efficiency, indoor environment quality and resource conservation.
By 2006, 16 Australian buildings had achieved Green Star Certification and a further 55 were registered. Two years later, 136 buildings had achieved Green Star certification and a further 305 had registered to attain a Green Star Certification.
According to Michael Barnes, CEO, ISIS, five years ago, green fit outs were virtually non-existent but now nearly all fitouts are influenced by green thinking and incorporate elements of green design and construction.
The trend towards green building fit outs, including fresher air, the monitoring of carbon dioxide levels, reduction in power and water through efficient lighting, user-adjustable heating and cooling, and the recycling of waste, water and materials will continue to gather pace as the Government's call for a reduction in carbon emissions coincides with the demanding Generation Y entering the workforce.
Buildings owners are heeding the calls from employers to provide greener workplaces. The Generation Y age group takes the environment seriously and will only increase their demands for green workplaces.
Forward-looking companies are increasingly recognising the two Es - the environment and employees. Environmentally-sustainable design (ESD) is now the latest trend, which is impacting on fit out design and implementation, from choice of wood, lighting and air quality to makeup of carpets and paint.
According to Barnes, having developed environmental management systems that can help to identify, manage and improve the environmental impact of the activities, more companies are gaining ISO14001 certification. This is driving awareness and adoption of green building practices. Employers of choice are looking at the triple-bottom line aspects of their businesses, financial, social and environmental, aiming for better staff satisfaction and health and a better corporate image and corporate citizenship.
Barnes further added that modern building techniques and materials being used to improve green credentials include: reconstituted timber fibreboard with low volatile organic compound levels, recycled timber for floors and benchtops, plantation timber rather than old-growth timber, perimeter windows for improved heating and cooling, lighting systems which control office lighting through timers and sensors and low-volatile organic compound paints and
carpets.
The construction and operation of buildings account for around 23% of Australia's total greenhouse gas emissions. Each year more than 130 mega-tonnes of greenhouse gas are emitted into the atmosphere from Australia's buildings.
A recent office tenant survey by Colliers International showed that staff retention and environmental performance were predicted to be the two biggest drivers affecting building requirements in the coming years. In the survey, 91% of respondents indicated that workplace design had an impact on business success. More recent surveys show a 30% increase in productivity between those who work in high quality work spaces compared to those who work in mediocre work spaces.
