A firm commitment

The NSW Government is committed to reducing its carbon pollution from power consumption including:

Carbon pollution from building energy use

  • a state wide target has been set to return carbon pollution from building energy use to 2000 levels (1.5 million tonnes) by 2019/20, with interim targets of 1.74 million tonnes by 2010/11, 1.67 million tonnes by 2013/14 and 1.59 million tonnes by 2016/17
  • agencies will also continue to purchase a minimum of six per cent GreenPower.

Environmental performance of buildings
Government owned or tenanted office buildings over 1,000 m2 are mandated to:

  • obtain a NABERS rating (National Australian Built Environment Rating System) by 31 December 2008
  • achieve and maintain a NABERS rating of 4.5 stars for energy by 1 July 2011, where cost effective
  • where new or refurbished, achieve and maintain 2011 targets from 18 months of the first occupancy, where cost-effective.
  • Specific strategies developed for educational and health facilities
  • Government agencies must purchase energy-efficient products and appliances where relevant, available and fit for purpose, with a minimum 4-star rating under the Minimum Energy Performance Standards Scheme (MEPS)