Urgent action is needed as we face the challenges presented by climate change. The commercial and residential building sectors offer significant potential for achieving deep cuts in greenhouse gas emissions by 2050. This potential can be realised by reducing energy demand and increasing the energy efficiency of buildings.
Policy frameworks must be established to achieve greater energy and resource efficiency in the building sector and to facilitate innovation in building design and procurement. Incentives to encourage the alteration, retrofitting and rebuilding of our current building stock to achieve more sustainable outcomes are needed now.
The architectural profession, as a key player in the development of the built environment must continue to show leadership. The Australian Institute of Architects (the Institute) advocates a range of actions for government, its members, the design and construction industry and the broader community that it believes will drive the necessary changes.