THE Property Council in WA is committed to assisting commercial property owners slash energy costs and greenhouse emissions.
A new star rating scheme to estimate the greenhouse emissions of buildings has already been adopted by the Property Council in NSW and Victoria.
In WA, the Property Council is analysing the rating criteria and in conjunction with property owners and government authorities to modify existing criteria to reflect local conditions.
A variety of factors will be taken into account, including energy usage, hours of operation of a building, the number of tenants and computers and the floor area of the building.
The level of support for the Building Greenhouse Rating Scheme by property owners in NSW and Victoria indicates a real need by the property sector for a market driven mechanism, which tackles the challenge of energy efficiency in buildings.
The proposed rating scheme for WA can be conducted on a self-assessment basis with the assistance of a simple software tool.
The Property Council is working with the Sustainable Energy Development Authority and relevant State Government authorities to establish the scheme and the necessary regulatory framework required for its implementation.
* Joe Lenzo is the chief executive of the Property Council in WA