Building for tomorrow - ideas in Benalla

Building for Zero Carbon Emissions and Low Energy Bills

 “Australia's buildings could halve their energy use within a decade, to make a major contribution to reducing the nation's carbon emissions – and save money on energy bills in the long run as well.”

This is the major message of the ‘Zero Carbon Australia Buildings Plan’, the latest report from Beyond Zero Emissions. The report continues, “We can choose to spend hundreds of billions of dollars to lock in fossil fuel use, or retrofit our buildings for the future now.”

 Trent Hawkins, the lead author of the plan, will present the report at a general meeting of the Benalla Sustainable Future Group on Thursday,  October 24, at The Uniting Church, Carrier Street, Benalla at 7.30 pm.

 Trent Hawkins says, “Imagine buildings efficiency programs in the near future which include the features of a "virtual power station", with solar panels, heat-pump boosted solar hot water, reverse-cycle air conditioning, bulk and foil insulation, air sealing, induction cooktops, and efficient LED lighting. Our plan also includes auditing and upgrading existing, poor performing air conditioning units at little or no cost to consumers, as part of a comprehensive plan to build the one big community wide "virtual power station".

 The ‘Zero Carbon Buildings Plan’ has been developed by Beyond Zero Emissions and Melbourne University’s Melbourne Energy Institute. Beyond Zero Emissions Inc. is a not-for-profit research and education organisation known for its work designing and implementing a zero emissions economy for Australia. Its goal is to transform Australia from a 19th century fossil fuel-based, emissions intensive economy to a 21st-century renewable-energy-powered clean-technology economy.

 How often do you wonder why tougher environmental standards for buildings aren’t more actively enforced and why we are still building low-performance buildings?  At a time when the cost of electricity continues to rise, high-performing energy efficient homes offer much needed respite from cost-of-living pressures, while responding to the challenges of the climate crisis.

Whatever your incentive, energy efficient building design and sustainable performance is an absolute no-brainer. It would reduce Australia's total carbon emissions. It would present energy savings for bill payers and more healthy and comfortable homes.

The Zero Carbon Buildings Plan demonstrates that there are no technical barriers to zero emission buildings in Australia. This is achieved through a planned energy efficiency retrofit of the existing building stock and onsite renewable energy generation.

Members of the public are welcome to hear more details of the Zero Carbon Buildings Plan at the Benalla Sustainable Future Group Meeting on Thursday,  October 24,  at the Uniting Church, Carrier Street, Benalla at 7:30 pm. For further information contact John Lloyd on 5765 2476 or andrewslloyd@iinet.net.au