Posted 16 September 2015 - 10:02am
New figures from the UK’s Global Commission on the Economy and Climate that reveal investing in low carbon cities could save up to $17 trillion globally by 2050 were welcomed by Professor Deo Prasad, CEO of the CRC for Low Carbon Living (CRCLCL) who said the research reinforced the importance of the CRC’s work.
“The report reconfirms the significance of the more than 70 projects we are working on with research, industry and government partners to enable buildings and cities to operate at the highest performance level, whilst engaging with the community to understand the drivers and behaviours surrounding low carbon initiatives,” he said.
“Our work is also enabling Australian industry to compete at the global level and engage in overseas projects which present many opportunities,” said Professor Prasad.
The Global Commission’s new report encourages cities around the world to commit to low carbon strategies by 2020 and to the Compact of Mayors – where mayors and city officials around the globe make a pledge to reduce greenhouse gas emissions while embracing other low carbon and sustainable initiatives.
“Australia’s response so far to the Compact of Mayors is that Perth, Adelaide, Melbourne, the ACT and Sydney are already involved and we hope to see this commitment grow,” said Professor Prasad.
“The CRCLCL is developing a range of tools and insights that can enable cities to lower their built environment carbon emissions. We recently presented to decision-makers and influencers in Sydney and Melbourne about how we can help them to create low carbon cities, with meetings in other locations planned in coming weeks.
“Sharing the knowledge our researchers and partners have gathered since the CRCLCL was formed three years ago is imperative to enable leaders, policy-makers and planners in Australian cities to become more effective in creating low to zero carbon buildings and spaces. We are being very proactive in this area,” he said.
Professor Prasad also highlighted the CRCLCL’s contribution to “The Energivie Manifesto: Buildings at the heart of energy transition” a document which targets six priority areas and 40 practical proposals that illustrate the building and construction sector’s global commitment to the success of COP21, the Conference of Parties to be held in Paris later this year and which will aim to achieve a legally binding and universal agreement on climate.
“Along with 21 other global leaders in the area of low carbon initiatives we contributed to the development of a comprehensive set of goals and a road map towards a low carbon built environment future for global cities,” said Professor Prasad.
The Australian Sustainable Built Environment Council (ASBEC) which represents many of the industry partners committed to a sustainable built environment in Australia, and which works with the CRCLCL, agreed that the UK report was both timely and supportive.
“ASBEC is committed to the future sustainability of Australian cities and towns, and the work of the CRC will play an important role in helping Australia change its position to low carbon whilst reducing energy costs and increasing liveability for its residents,” said Professor Ken Maher, ASBEC President.
“It is equally important for ASBEC and the CRCLCL together to provide a forum for a variety of industry and professional groups to reduce carbon emissions in the built environment, and to advocate members’ sustainability policies and initiatives,” he concluded.
The Global Commission on the Economy and Climate is made up of former government leaders, finance ministers and leaders in economics and business.
