Unlocking Emissions Reductions in the Building Industry

New analysis by the Clean Energy Finance Corporation (CEFC) reveals that the Australian building industry has a significant opportunity to reduce greenhouse gas emissions through the adoption of low-emissions materials and smart building designs. The report finds that around 10% of Australia's greenhouse gas emissions are embodied emissions, with a third of those coming from the construction industry. The CEFC's research suggests that by supporting the development of low-emissions materials, Australian developers and builders can achieve emissions reductions of up to 33% and save up to 3% on material costs.

Key Takeaways:

The Australian building industry has a $65 billion market awaiting innovations in low-emissions materials and smart building designs.
Embodied emissions account for around 10% of Australia's greenhouse gas emissions, with a third of those coming from the construction industry.
The adoption of low-emissions materials and building designs can achieve emissions reductions of up to 33% and save up to 3% on material costs.
The CEFC's research identifies recycled materials, high-strength steel, and new lower-emissions concrete mixes as key measures to reduce building emissions.
A study by Canberra-based firm Mineral Carbonation International has developed a building material that permanently stores captured carbon dioxide emissions, offering a profitable pathway to decarbonization.
The CEFC has invested around $300 million in Australian building innovations, including commercial and residential developments with reduced embodied carbon emissions.
Innovations in the production of building materials and building designs are helping to make low-emissions buildings a viable option, with materials and design expertise improving at a rapid rate.

Statistics:

Around 10% of Australia's greenhouse gas emissions are embodied emissions (CEFC report).
A third of embodied emissions come from the construction industry (CEFC report).
Buildings with sustainability-rated infrastructure can achieve emissions reductions of up to 33%, compared to buildings with no sustainability measures in place (CEFC report).
The use of recycled materials, high-strength steel, and new lower-emissions concrete mixes can achieve up to 18% reduction in embodied carbon and save up to 3% on material costs (CEFC report).
The Australian construction material sector is worth an estimated $65 billion (CEFC report).
The CEFC manages a $10 billion public fund for low-emissions investments (CEFC website).

Sources:

"New analysis by the Clean Energy Finance Corporation (CEFC) reveals that the Australian building industry has a significant opportunity to reduce greenhouse gas emissions through the adoption of low-emissions materials and smart building designs."