Isra-Mart srl: Green Building Council supports price on carbon

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The Green Building Council of Australia (GBCA) has announced that it backs a price on carbon, provided it is accompanied by complementary measures that support the property and construction industry.

The GBCA today released its paper: ‘Putting a price on pollution: what it means for Australia’s property and construction industry’.

“The GBCA believes an emissions trading scheme or other carbon pricing mechanism may be one of the most efficient and cost-effective ways for Australia to meet its international carbon reduction targets, while at the same time boosting investment in green technologies and stimulating new sectors of the economy, potentially leading to a global competitive advantage,” says the GBCA’s Chief Executive, Romilly Madew.

“To capitalise fully on the potential of the built environment, a carbon price must be complemented with a range of integrated measures that support energy and materials efficiencies within the property and construction industry.

“These complementary measures would include energy efficiency incentives such as tax breaks and white certificates, investment in research, development and commercialisation of low-emissions technologies, and mandatory disclosure. Strong collaboration between government, industry and non-government organisations is also required to overcome the current market failures and skills gaps,” Madew adds.

Putting a price on pollution sets out the rationale and mechanics for pricing carbon and how this will impact upon the property and construction industry. The paper outlines the challenges and opportunities that a carbon price presents for the GBCA’s range of members, including building owners, developers and product manufacturers.

“Now is the time for organisations within the property and construction industry to consider how a price on carbon will affect their operations and how they can take advantage of the new green economy,” Ms Madew concludes.