Green Star for New Buildings: Draft credits

Providing feedback

This document is to be used to provide feedback on the credits that fall under all of the categories.

To submit the document please complete the following steps:

1. Download form from and save to your desktop.

2. Fill out form with your feedback and save pdf

3. Email form to [email protected]

Name:

Company:

Position

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Email address:

Is this response on behalf of your company? Yes No

Profession

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2

mailto:[email protected]

Table of contents

Responsible 4

5

8

11

15

18

20

21

24

27

Industry development

Responsible construction

Verification and handover

Operational waste

Responsible procurement

Responsible products explainer

Responsible structure

Responsible envelope

Responsible systems

Responsible finishes 30

Healthy 33

34

37

41

45

48

Clean air

Light quality

Exposure to toxins

Noise levels

Amenity and comfort

Human connection to nature 50

Resilient 53

54

58

Climate change resilience

Systems resilience

Community resilience

Grid optimisation 60

Positive 64666971

778184

Upfront carbon emissions

Energy use

Energy source

Other carbon sources

Tenant emissions

Water use

Impacts from resources 88 3

Places 8293959799

101

People movement

Goods movement

Enjoyable places

Activated places

Contribution to place

Access to amenity 103

People 106107111113116

Nature 126127130133136138140

Leadership 143144Leadership in sustainability

Innovation challenges 146

62

119122

124

Social construction impactsCommunity engagementCulture, identity and heritageSocial procurement Design for inclusionPrivacyDesign quality

Impacts to natureBiodiversity enhancement Nature stewardshipNature connectivityOffsite restoration Waterway protection

DRAFT CREDIT FOR CONSULTATION ONLY

4


Alignment Description

Synergies with other credits

Sustainable Development Goals

Other reporting initiatives

Stage implementation Strategy Brief Concept Design Dev. Tender Construction Handover Use

Outcome

Credit achievement

Criteria Applicability & Guidance Changes from Green Star – Design & As Built Rationale for change

All credits, due to GSAP involvement

Goal 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities)

None

√ √ √ √ √ √ √ √


The following must be met.

Green Star Accredited Professional

Engage a Green Star Accredited Professional (Green Star AP) to provide Green Star advice,

support and information to the project team. The Green Star AP must be contractually engaged as

part of the core project team for the duration of the project.

The Green Star AP must be enrolled in the Green Building Council of Australia's Continuous

Professional Development (CPD) program and must have valid credentials for the duration of their

engagement (schematic design through to practical completion).

Financial transparency

The project team discloses the cost of sustainable building practices of the project including

design, construction and documentation to the GBCA.

This information will be anonymised by the GBCA and included as an aggregate as part of an

annual report to inform industry on the cost of Green Star. No project, owner or consultant will be

identifiable.

Marketing excellence

The Project must develop and implement a strategy to market, detail and explain the benefits of

sustainable building practices. As part of this work, the benefits of sustainable building practices

and Green Star certification must be present and accessible in a public part of the project. Finally,

it is a requirement that the project’s marketing team provides a well-developed case study to the

GBCA for publication.

The project team also displays their Green Star certification on the main building entry or foyer in a

prominent location.

This credit is applicable to all building sectors.

Green Star AP

The Green Star AP must be an active participant in the

project team and provide advice and support to ensure that

the project team has access to information covering Green

Star principles, structure, timing and process. This includes:

The Green Star AP must provide at least one workshop on

the above topics and participate in meetings and

workshops; review all documentation for compliance with

Green Star; and be responsible for the preparation and

execution of the Green Star submission(s) for certification.

Financial transparency

The project team must provide the project's financial data in

a format that is consistent across all projects. To achieve

this, the Disclosure Template must be submitted in Excel

format with the project’s Green Star submission, not as a

PDF. All supporting documentation, including the

Submission Template, should be submitted as a PDF. The

Disclosure Template is available on the GBCA website.

Project teams must use the latest available version.

Marketing excellence

It is required that the project undertake market research on

the investment drivers of end-users of the building to inform

the Marketing Strategy. Drivers include the needs of likely

investors, occupants or staff. Note that this is not intended

to be generic market research based on published reports.

A targeted and effective strategy can only be achieved

through dedicated market research that involves the project

itself and potential likely end-users.

The Marketing Strategy must address the identified drivers

and relate them to sustainability measures implemented.

The project must demonstrate in its submission the

implementation of the marketing strategy and provide

developed samples at the time of the project’s Green Star

submission. This includes how information on the benefits of

sustainability has been included in a public and prominent

way within the building (or sales office).

This credit builds into the main framework of the

New Buildings rating tool two successful

Innovation Challenges from Green Star - Design

and As-Built rating tool. The detailed

requirements of the credit criteria have not

changed from the Design and As-Built rating

tool.

Transformation of the industry towards

sustainable buildings requires multiple factors

working together. This includes having

sustainability embedded in a project early on

through an accredited professional, being able to

use data to report the cost of sustainability and

being able to promote and market the benefits of

sustainability to end-users. This credit brings

together these elements to ensure the industry

continues to innovate and improve.

The development facilitates industry transformation through partnership, collaboration and data sharing.

• Eligibility

• Environmental categories

• Point allocation and scores

• Documentation and

compliance requirements

• Technical questions

• Certification process;

• Green Star branding

and marketing.

5







Outcome


Exceptional performance Handover and tenant engagement (Responsible)


None

√√ √


This credit is is awarded where the Applicant carries out a pre and post occupancy survey on staff

or occupants (where known) and achieves a satisfaction rate of 65th to 80th percentile.

The Survey muse be project specific and address occupant satisfaction, including the assessment

of occupant wellbeing and interaction with the development including the internal environment,

provided amenities and place strategies. Specific topics to include in the survey include:

• Indoor air quality – outdoor air, stuffiness;

• Thermal comfort – indoor temperature, air speed or drafts, access to controls;

• Acoustic comfort – internal noise, noise levels from HVAC, noise from outside; and

• Building cleanliness – cleanliness, odours, maintenance.

Survey results must be shared with the GBCA.

Where the building is speculative, the pre-occupancy survey does not need to be performed until a

tenant has been signed up, provided such tenant is occupying another space.

For Design rating projects or As Built rating projects, a commitment from the owner is required. If

the asset is intended for sale, the new owner must commit to the survey, or the point will be

removed from the project’s final score.

The following surveys are recognised as being suitable for this credit:

• Building Occupant Satisfaction Survey Australia (BOSSA);

• Occupant Indoor Environment Quality survey; and

• Building User Survey.

This credit is applicable to all sector types.

The survey must be completed by a representative portion

of the occupants and building users. Additional guidance

will be provided around sample size and precision in order

to determine a statistically significant outcome.

This credit builds into the Green Star for

New Buildings rating tool an Innovation

Challenge Occupant engagement from Green

Star – Design and As-Built.

The actual sustainability performance of assets is

poorly understood by the industry and the

occupants of those assets.

While energy and water are closely monitored

during building operation, indicators such as

improvements to productivity, reduced sick leave

and the costs of running complex systems are

not.

This credit aims to encourage owners,

developers and operators to perform regular

occupancy studies on the operating asset. In the

interest of increasing transparency, it also

encourages the public disclosure of the data and

benefits of achieving the benchmarks through a

Green Star rating.

The development facilitates industry transformation through partnership, collaboration and data sharing.

6


Issues to consider as part of your feedback

Do you have any comments on the credit proposed?

In principle, do you support the proposed credit? Yes No

Do you support the detail of the proposed credit? Yes No

Is this credit worth including when compared against others in the rating tool? Yes No

• Do you agree with promoting the Financial transparency, Marketing excellence and

Occupant engagement Innovation Challenges into the rating tools?

• In your opinion would this credit, and the data it generates, contribute to developing

and improving industry?

• Is there anything else that could be included within this credit?


7








Outcome

Minimum expectation

The builder’s construction practices promote the reduction of impacts and promote opportunities for improved environmental outcomes.

Social construction practices (People)

Goal 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities); Goal 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production)

None

√ √

The project demonstrates that it is managing its construction impacts by:

• Developing and implementing a project specific best practice Environmental Management

Plan; and

• The Responsible Party has a certified Environmental Management System in place for the

duration of construction; and

• Diverting at least 80% of its construction and demolition waste from landfill.

Environmental Management Plan

The Environmental Management Plan (EMP) must be project specific and cover the scope of

construction activities. It must be implemented from the start of construction including any

excavation and demolition works.

The NSW Environmental Management Systems Guidelines contains requirements of EMPs which

is considered best practice.

Environmental Management System

The Responsible Party is defined as the head contractor, principle contractor or similar.

For projects valued at less than $10 million, the responsible party has an Environmental

Management System (EMS) that complies with either the NSW Environmental

Management System Guidelines or a recognised standard.

For projects valued at over $10 million, the responsible party has an Environmental Management

System certified to a recognised standard such as AS/NZS ISO 14001, BS 7750 o the European

Community’s EMAS.

The EMS may be stand-alone, or part of an integrated management system and must be valid for

the duration of construction activities.

Construction and Demolition waste diversion

Waste to be measured in kilograms and diversion rate to be calculated as a proportion of all waste

generated from construction activities.

A Disclosure Statement is required from waste contractors and processing facilities outlining how

they and their reporting complies with the Green Star Construction and Demolition Waste

Reporting Criteria.

This credit is applicable to all building sectors. The credit introduces Minimum

expectations which have been taken from the

Green Star – Design & As Built rating tool. The

construction and demolition waste diversion

target has been reduced in the Minimum

expectation to facilitate resource recovery that is

achievable by most projects.

The Green Star for New Building rating tool is

introducing a series of Minimum expectations

across a number of categories in order to drive

improved performance that takes a holistic view

of design and construction activities. The

Construction practices Minimum expectation

draws on credits from the Design and As Built

rating tool in order to promote the reduction of

impacts and identification of opportunities for

improving environmental outcomes during

construction.

Regarding reducing C&D waste target, feedback

indicates that when a building structure is

retained during a major renovation, achieving

higher waste to landfill diversion is particularly

challenging, as there are many small waste

streams. Thus, a higher percentage would create

a significant barrier to uptake.


8







Outcome

Credit achievement


Social construction practices (People)


None

√ √


Projects must divert at least 90% of construction and demolition waste from landfill and comply

with the GBCA's Waste Reporting Criteria. Projects must also achieve the Environmental

Management Plan and Environmental Management System components of the Minimum

expectation.

Refer to Minimum expectation for applicability & guidance. No changes have been proposed from Green

Star - Design & As Built rating tool.

Not applicable.

The builder’s construction practices promote the reduction of impacts and opportunities for improved environmental outcomes.

9

https://www.gbca.org.au/uploads/237/34797/C-D_Waste_Reporting Criteria_FINAL_210613.pdf?_ga=2.235344195.371065528.1575932125-1639619272.1528260998







• Do you agree with the Minimum expectations?

• Do you agree with the proposed construction and demolition waste diversion target

for the Minimum expectation and Credit achievement?

• Should there be an expectation to comply with GBCA's Waste Reporting criteria?

(For Credit achievement). Should this document be updated? Why?


10








Outcome

Minimum expectation

The building’s systems have been commissioned and tuned and have been handed over to the management team for operation.

Clean air (Healthy); Energy use (Positive)

Goal 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities); Goal 13 (Climate Action)

None

√ √ √ √

The building must be commissioned and tuned to a high standard. In addition, it has the relevant

infrastructure to allow for future monitoring of energy and water consumption. Finally all relevant

building and maintenance information has been provided to the future management.

Environmental performance targets

The project team must set and document environmental performance targets for the project. A

description of the basic functions, operations, and maintenance of the nominated building systems

must be provided. There must be clear targets for the project energy and water consumption and

energy and water budgets for all nominated building systems.

Services and maintainability review

Prior to construction, the project team must conduct a services and maintainability review of the

building. The review must include the head contractor, the owner’s representative, and the

commissioning agents. The review must consider the commissionability, controllability,

maintainability, operability, and safety of all proposed systems. It must be signed off by all involved

parties.

Building commissioning

During and prior to practical completion, all building systems must be commissioned in accordance

with a recognised commissioning standard (CIBSE or ASHRAE commissioning guides).

The contractual tender or construction documentation must list the commissioning requirements for

each system. It is not sufficient to state that systems must be commissioned to the relevant

standard.

As part of the commissioning of the building, and air tightness test must be performed to ensure

design air tightness targets as described in the Energy use credit are being met.

Building systems tuning

The owner or developer must contractually commit to a tuning process that includes quarterly

adjustments and measurements for at least the first 12 months after occupation.

Metering and monitoring

The building must have accessible energy and water metering for all common uses, major uses,

and major sources. The metering solution must assist to manage energy and water consumption

for the building. In addition, the meters must be connected to a monitoring system capable of

capturing and processing the data produced by the meters and present data consumption trends.

All meters and metering systems must be commissioned and validated in accordance with the

most current ‘Validating Non-Utility Meters for NABERS Ratings’ protocol. Alternative protocols are

acceptable provided they are of similar scope and nature. They must also be capable of producing

alerts if any inaccuracies in the meter network are found. Inaccuracies are defined as in excess of

meter tolerances (e.g. ‘Class 1’ meters shall not have inaccuracies of more than 1% due to

metering accuracy class). The Monitoring systems to be continual (15mins to 1hr interval readings)

and meter accuracy reconciled to appropriate standards, including, but not limited to, NABERS

Protocol or National Measurement Institute (NMI) standards.

This credit applies to all building sectors.

For components 1-4, guidance for each component as per

Green Star – Design & As Built Submission Guidelines.

Metering and monitoring

Where the building’s Gross Floor Area (excluding car

parking areas) is smaller than 1000 m2, unless specialist

equipment is present in the building, a single meter for

energy and a single meter for water will comply with this

minimum requirement.

In Green Star Design & As Built this credit was

referred to as the Commissioning and Tuning

credit.

In Green Star – Design & As Built, air

permeability targets were specified. This credit

instead requires project teams to set their own

targets as per the Energy use credit. If they meet

those targets, then the minimum requirement is

met.

The credit now requires project teams to set their

own air permeability targets in the Energy use

credit. As a minimum expectation, these targets

must be met.


11







Outcome

Credit achievement


Clean air (Healthy); Energy use (Positive)


None

√ √ √ √


Independent commissioning agent

The building has been independently commissioned to perform.

The activities in the minimum expectations criteria must be performed under the supervision of an

Independent Commissioning Agent. The Independent Commissioning Agent must advise, monitor,

and verify the commissioning and tuning of the nominated building systems throughout the design,

tender, construction, commissioning and tuning phases. They must also provide advice during the

services and maintainability review.

The specified verification and handover requirements must be overseen by a qualified independent

commissioning professional (separate from the design team) who is engaged directly by the

client/building owner and reports directly to the owner (or the owner’s representative).

An Independent Commissioning Agent (ICA) fulfils the roles of this criterion. A facilities manager

employed by the client qualified in the commissioning of these systems also fulfils the roles of this

criterion.

This credit is applicable to all building sectors. There are no changes from Green Star – Design

& As Built.

Not applicable.


12







Outcome

Criteria Applicability & Guidance Rationale for Introduction

Exceptional performance Clean air (Healthy); Energy use (Positive)


None

√ √ √ √


The future facilities management team have been part of the commissioning and onboarding

process and have all the relevant information required to operate the building to its maximum

potential.

Soft landings framework

To achieve exceptional performance a building must be designed, built, commissioned, and tuned

by adopting a ‘Soft Landings’ approach.

The facilities management team for the building must be involved in the commissioning and

handover process. The facilities management team must be involved in the development of a

succinct technical guide for the building and the building operations and maintenance manual. The

facilities management team must sign-off on the operations and maintenance manual.

The facilities management team must be trained prior to handover. The training must include a

demonstration of the building management system and any control mechanisms. The

demonstration must be comprehensive and allow for additional items to be developed, such as log

books or other manuals.

The facilities management team should have continued access to key design and construction

team for two years after practical completion to allow for transitioning the responsibility for the

building.

Where the facilities management team is unknown, this exceptional performance cannot be

claimed.

This credit is applicable to all building sectors

Soft landings

For information on how to implement a “Soft Landings’

approach, please see https://www.bsria.com/uk/consultancy

/project-improvement/soft-landings/

A soft landings approach helps to address any performance gaps between design intentions and

operational outcomes. It sets the building up to continue delivering sustainable outcomes after design

and construction are complete. The soft landings approach is a process credits that ultimately aims to

deliver a better-performing product.


13

https://www.bsria.com/uk/consultancy/project-improvement/soft-landings/







• Do you support the proposal that all Green Star buildings must conduct an air

permeability test?

• Do you agree with project teams setting their own air permeability rates that must be

met? Or should there be specified targets?

• Is a soft landings approach worthy or Exceptional performance, or should this fall

under the Credit achievement?

• What additional guidance should this credit provide?


14








Outcome

Minimum expectation

Operational waste is able to be recovered in a safe and easy manner.

Goods movement (Places)

Goal 13 (Climate Action); Goal 12 (Responsible Construction and Production)

None

√ √

Waste facilities in buildings shall be designed to allow for resource recovery from point of

generation through to collection.

Separation of waste streams

The building must provide bins or storage containers to building occupants to enable them to

separate their waste. These bins must be labelled and easy to access, and evenly distributed

throughout the building. They must also allow for segregating the following as a minimum:

• Paper and cardboard;

• Glass and plastics;

• Organic waste; and

• General waste.

If a project generates a high-volume of waste in a stream not listed above (e.g. hospital or

industrial building) then it must also be included in addition to the above.

Dedicated waste storage

The building must have an appropriately sized dedicated storage area for consolidating the waste

streams. The storage area must be sized to accommodate all bins or containers, for all applicable

waste streams, for at least 2 days' worth of waste. The calculations used to demonstrate the area

provided is adequately sized to handle the recyclable waste streams specified must be based on:

• Waste generated by project; and

• Collection frequency for each waste stream.

The calculations for waste generation rates must be based on figures outlined within third-party

best practice guidelines.

It is acceptable to provide more than one dedicated storage area when providing the appropriate

waste storage space for the project. However, all storage areas dedicated to recycling must meet

all the applicable requirements.

Access to waste storage area

Storage areas must allow for safe and easy access by collection vehicles.


Offsite recycling

Where recyclable waste is taken off-site to be sorted and

hence equipment for the different recyclable waste streams

will not be provided, demonstrate that suitable off site

separation of recyclables is to be implemented either by

demonstrating standard recyclable pick up services are

available or through a contract for the waste to be removed

and sorted. In both cases, demonstration that the waste is

to be sorted into the streams, is required by the compliance

requirements of this credit.

Third-party best practice guidelines

The City of Sydney’s Policy for Waste Minimisation in New

Developments 2005 (Sections A and C on access and

Appendix B on waste generation rates) is a recognised

third-party best practice guideline that may be used to

calculate waste generation rates (Dedicated waste storage)

and justify access arrangements (Access to waste storage

area).

Other third-party best practice guidelines, issued by other

city councils or other waste authorities, may also be used.

Referenced documents

The following documents are referred to in this credit:

City of Sydney's 'Policy for Waste Minimisation in New

Development's October 2005 (or latest

available): https://www.cityofsydney.nsw.gov.au/__data/ass

ets/pdf_file/0018/120384/WasteCodeForNewDevelopments.

pdf

The sizing of the area for storing waste has been

increased from accommodating at least one

collection cycle worth of waste to 2 days’ worth.

This is due to feedback and data being received

that some buildings do not have a daily

collection and this results in health and safety

issues.

Organic waste has been identified as a separate waste stream.

The provision of storage and collection areas that

are able to be serviced in a safe and efficient

manner has been introduced as a Minimum

expectation, as this has been raised as an issue

by industry resulting from the Consultation

Paper.

As organic waste accounts for over half of all

waste generated, treating it as a separate waste

stream to be recycled will greatly facilitate a

reduction of waste going to landfill.

Where buildings are delivered without the

supporting infrastructure to facilitate resource

recovery, it creates ongoing operational issues

that becomes costly to building operators.

Further, this often results in elaborate and

complex operational solutions to deal with an

ongoing waste issue. This can then create

health and safety issues for the building

operator.

All buildings should be designed and constructed

to allow for source segregation and promote an

easy transfer of waste from to the collection

point For this reason, all buildings being rated

under Green Star are expected to have the

infrastructure to manage waste safely in place.

Operational waste

15

https://www.cityofsydney.nsw.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0018/120384/WasteCodeForNewDevelopments.pdf







Outcome

Credit achievement


Goods movement (Places)

Goal 13 (Climate Action); Goal 12 (Responsible Construction and Production)

None

√ √

Operational waste

Qualified waste auditor

Credit achievement is awarded where a qualified waste professional prepares an Operational

Waste Management Plan and that the mechanisms are in place to ensure this plan is implemented

during in the building's operations.

Projects shall demonstrate they have operational waste management contracts in place in

accordance with the requirements of the Operational Waste Management Plan.

A qualified waste auditor must prepare an Operational Waste Management Plan (OWMP) in

accordance with the Better Buildings Partnership Operational Waste Guidelines. The Plan must

include the following as a minimum:

• Identify the site boundary;

• Predicted waste streams' quantities;

• Set waste generation targets (Kg per operational day), as well as monitoring and measurement

procedures for waste and recycling streams by weight;

• Outline approaches to facilitate waste minimisation and recycling;

• Identify management practices to enable for a safe and smooth transfer of waste from point of

generation to collection;

• Outline the approach to ensure ease of use by building users, such equitable access to waste

and recycling collection points;

• Identify location of storage facilities and safe methods for vehicle access and transfer;

• Outline data collection and monitoring framework;

• Nominate who is responsible for implementing, monitoring, and auditing the OWMP in the

building operational phase; and

• Strategies for continuous improvement based on outcomes against reported targets.

• A requirement for any waste contractor to be certified under GECA’s Waste Services Collection

Standard.

Waste collection responsibilities must be clearly included in:

1. Cleaning contract, or where the project owner is not responsible for cleaning, requirements in

place for cleaners to collect each waste stream identified for, separately; and

2. Waste collection contract in place, specifically identifying each waste stream which has been

identified for collection.

Separation of waste streams

For credit achievement, it is also essential that organics be introduced as a separate waste stream.

Like with the other waste streams, the organics bin must be labelled and easily accessed.


Qualified Waste Auditor

A qualified waste auditor is defined as one of the following:

• An auditor holding Environmental Management Systems

Auditor certification issued by Exemplar Global (formerly

RABQSA Inc.). To find a certified auditor, refer to the

‘Search for Certified Individuals’ section of the Exemplar

Global website

(https://exemplarglobal.org/certification/what-we-

offer/search-for-certified-individuals-or-organizations/);

• An auditor employed by a waste management

organisation, possessing a minimum of five years’

experience, working in waste auditing in the built

environment, with specific experience in undertaking

waste audits in line with guidelines issued by State/

Territory waste authorities;

• A waste auditor or waste specialist, working for a

consultant, building owner or contractor, possessing a

minimum of three years’ experience developing

OWMPs; or

• An auditor who has undertaken at least one NABERS

Waste audit as a certified assessor.

The Better Building Partnerships Operational Waste

Guidelines are available here.

Waste generation targets

The updated credit requires the project to set

waste generation target.

Organic waste

Organic waste has been added as a collection

waste stream.

Cleaning contracts

Cleaning contracts for waste providers has been

introduced.

Waste generation targets

This is in line with industry best practice. It shifts

the focus of the credit from diversion from landfill

to waste avoidance.

Organic waste

Organic waste has significant environmental

impacts and there are an abundance

of opportunity for positive use. Furthermore, it

constitutes a large and ever-increasing portion of

waste generated in building.

Cleaning contracts

This is in line with industry best practice.

Operational waste is able to be recovered in a safe and easy manner.

16

https://exemplarglobal.org/certification/what-we-offer/search-for-certified-individuals-or-organizations/

http://cdn.sydneybetterbuildings.com.au/assets/2015/11/BBP-Operational-Waste-Guidelines_Downloadable.pdf







• Do you support the introduction of organics as a waste stream? Does this present

any barriers or challenges for projects?

• For the minimum requirement, there is the statement that any significant waste

stream generated that is not paper, cardboard, glass, plastics, organic waste, and

general waste it must be included. What should the threshold be for there to be a

requirement to include it?

• Do you support the introduction of operational waste requirements in cleaning

contracts? Should there be additional requirements for this component of the

credit?

• Do you support the inclusion of an increase in storage area to two days’ worth?

• Do you agree with the introduction of a requirement for waste contractors to be

GECA certified?

Operational waste

17







Outcome


Credit achievement Responsible structure, Responsible façade, Responsible systems, Responsible finishes (Responsible); Social procurement, Social construction practices (People)

Goal 8 (Decent work and economic growth); Goal 10 (Reduced inequalities); Goal 12 (Sustainable consumption and production)

GRESB

√ √


This credit is awarded where the project can demonstrate that its procurement processes drive

positive environmental, social and economic outcomes across its design and construction life

cycle. In order to achieve this, the procurement process must follow ISO 20400 Guidelines and the

project must demonstrate active efforts to address at least one identified risk and opportunity in its

supply chain.

The Project must firstly undertake a risk and opportunities assessment of its supply chain to

identify environmental and social risks. The risk assessment must take a life cycle approach (that

is, consider risk further down the supply chain, such as in the extraction, manufacture or transport

of key materials). While risks across the following critical issues may not be identified, they must

be considered:

• Human rights;

• Labour practices;

• The environment;

• Fair operating practices;

• Consumer issues; and

• Community involvement and development.

The project must develop and implement Responsible/ Sustainable Procurement Plan/ Strategy to

mitigate and manage identified risks and drive implementation of identified opportunities. This can

be part of an organisational Strategy/ Plan or a stand-alone Plan/ Strategy.

The plan must:

• Identify environmental and social procurement project objectives reflecting the risks and

opportunities assessment;

• Identify targets related to environmental, social and economic objectives in the supply chain

and a measurement process for tracking these;

• Stipulate clear actions to mitigate and address at least one risk and opportunity identified in its

supply chain;

• Establish clear governance structures to ensure implementation of the Plan/ Strategy including

roles and responsibilities for implementation and monitoring of all procurement and

contracts; and

• Establish monitoring requirements on site as well as internal reporting requirements

to measure impacts and outcomes as well as benefits realised.

Contracts must require data collection, monitoring and reporting; and a framework for incentivising

the achievement of Plan/ Strategy.


ISO 20400:2017 provides guidance to organisations,

independent of their activity or size, on integrating

sustainability within procurement. The procurement process

must include community involvement and development,

consumer issues, fair operating practices, the environment,

labour practices, and human rights. The standard also

addresses organisational requirements at the middle

management level, including what sort of governance you

should have, people management and training, stakeholder

engagement, prioritisation, reporting and grievance

processes. The last section sets out the procurement

process itself, including planning, sourcing and contract

management.

In terms of defining what environmental and social

objectives are desired, projects are encouraged to follow the

framework established by the Responsible (products)

credits. These are:

• Responsibility - Manufacturing avoids significant

environmental impact

• Transparency - Product impacts and content are

transparent and meet high standards

• Foresight - Manufacturer is preparing for future low-

carbon production and the circular economy

• Stewardship - Supply chain is operated ethically,

respecting human rights and lower environmental

impact.

There are linkages between this credit and the Social

procurement credit in the People category and the

Exceptional performance in the Social construction practices

credit as well as the materials related credits. If these

credits are targeted and achieved these credits can be used

to demonstrate actions to address identified risk and

opportunities as contained in the Responsible/ Sustainable

Procurement Plan/Strategy.

The act of procurement products and materials shapes the construction of the building far in advance

of its development. Like its sister credit Social Procurement in the People category, this credit aims to

use the procurement process to improve the environmental and social outcomes of the supply chain.

Ensuring there is a clear process in place to manage the procurement process helps guarantee the

use of preferential materials. While the rest of the Responsible (products) credits reward the project for

a high quantity of compliant products, this credit aims to ensure that a process exists to influence the

procurement regardless of whether the other credits are achieved or not. It also helps influence the

procurement of products not captured by those other credits.

The credit asks procurement professionals to use and embed best practices in the selection of

materials for the building. It also aims to ensure there is a clear process for product substitutions. By

outlining the projects objectives, linking them to relevant Green Star outcomes, and giving preference

to preferential products, all parties in the project are clear on what is relevant when selecting products

and installing them on the building.

The procurement process for all products, materials, and services follows best practice environmental and social principles.

18







• Is ISO 20400 the relevant standard for this credit? Are there others?

• Does the description of the plan articulate what is needed to achieve the credit?

• What other guidance would you like to see?

• Do you agree with the requirement that the procurement process be present at the

beginning of the construction process?

• Do you agree with the requirement to provide a narrative articulating the benefits that

the procurement process provided to the project as a compliance requirement?


19


Responsible Products

Explainer

In this example, the project wants to achieve the Responsible structure credit, at the Credit achievement level.

To meet the proposed credit achievement, 80% of products (by cost) must meet a minimum score as per the Responsible Products Value Table * (to be released in January 2020).

For simplicity purposes, the structure consists of a timber core, timber horizontal beams, and a concrete foundation.

Collectively, the three components make up 80% (by cost): the timber core is 40%, the timber beams are 30%, and concrete is 10%. Other materials combined (e.g. reinforcing steel) make up the remaining 20%.

If the timber core, beams and the concrete meet the minimum score, they will meet the Credit achievement. For this example, let’s make that 10 points.

Let’s assume that after industry consultation, in the Responsible Products Value Table the following schemes are weighted according to below* (sample numbers only):

• Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) certified timber = 5 points

• Programme for the Endorsement of Forest Certification (PEFC) certified timber = 5 points

• Reused product = 15 points

• Product specific Environmental Product Declaration (EPD) = 5 points

• Concrete with recycled content (30% reduced Portland cement, 40% recycled aggregate and 50% recycled water) = 5 points

The timber core is FSC certified and has a product specific EPD. It therefore scores 10 points, and meets the minimum score.

The timber beams are reused from another building that was demolished. As reused materials have a higher weighting, being a 15, these products comply too.

The building owner has a choice of two concrete manufactures, which offer the following:

• Supplier 1: Concrete with product specific EPD

• Supplier 2: Concrete with product specific EPD and with recycled content

If the building owner goes with supplier 1, then they do not meet the credit achievement, because the product only scores 5 points. The incentive is therefore for the owner to select supplier 2, as the material has higher credentials. If

they select supplier 2, they would comply as the material meets the score of 10.

The project would then meet the credit achievement, because 80% of the products that make up the structure meet a score of 10.

*The score per certification scheme will be released in January 2020. Weightings will be consulted widely on and include metrics such as: Transparency, third party verification, environmental impacts, social impacts, and ethical

impacts, to name a few.

The methodology for assessing Responsible Products-related credits has changed from Green Star – Design & As Built.

This page explains how the approach would work, with a simple, theoretical example. It applies to the following credits: Responsible structure; Responsible envelope; Responsible systems; and Responsible finishes.

The ‘Responsible Products Value Table ’ as mentioned below, will be released in January 2020. The GBCA are consulting with various working groups before releasing this for public consultation. Whilst the GBCA acknowledges the delay in releasing

this table, timeframes for consultation allows consideration of this. Should additional time be needed, the GBCA will consider this.

The reason for releasing credits before the Responsible Products Value Table is because we believe there is value in receiving industry feedback on the overall approach to the four credits.

Please email [email protected] if you would like to receive the Responsible Products Value Table when it is released.

Example

20








Outcome

Credit achievement


Responsible procurement, Responsible envelope, Responsible systems, Responsible finishes (Responsible)

Goal 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production); Goal 9 (Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure)

None

√ √ √


80% of all structural components by cost must meet the relevant sustainability attributes score.

Structural components are load bearing or those related to the stability of the building. Elements

that serve a dual purpose (e.g. load bearing façade) can be claimed in this and other credits.

The sustainability attributes score (known as the Responsible Products Value or RPV) is calculated

on a per product basis. Each product is scored based on the number of initiatives that it achieves

across four target areas:

• Responsibility - Manufacturing avoids significant environmental impact;

• Transparency - Product impacts and content are transparent and meet high standards;

• Foresight - Manufacturer is preparing for future low-carbon production and the circular

economy; and

• Stewardship - Supply chain is operated ethically, respecting human rights and lower

environmental impact

Each product must achieve a score of at least 10 or more.

Scores for each product can be obtained from the Green Star Product Register, or by using the

Responsible Products Value table. Scoring is cumulative, rewarding each initiative achieved. A

product can be compliant with one or more initiatives and each adds to the product's total score.

The percentage of structure that has a compliant score is used to determine compliance with the

credit.

An explainer on how products will be scored is included in this category pack.


Green Star Product Register

Via an online digital platform, the GBCA will be introducing

a directory of pre-approved products. The goal is to

ensure that products are approved once in Green Star, not

once per project.

Manufacturers will be able to provide GBCA with

information that shows that a product complies

with the requirements of the relevant credits. The product

will then be scored.

When a product is used that has a score in the Green Star

Product Register, the project team would provide a link to

the register and proof of use of the product in the project.

This is a register of compliant products documentation. It

is not an assessment of the products’ quality

or environmental attributes. We are assessing their

documentation, not their qualities.

Products not listed in the Green Star Products Register may

also be used. In these cases, the project team will be

required to provide proof of compliance to the initiatives in

the Responsible Products Value table.

Responsible Products Value table

Please refer to page 20 or further details.

(Note: the Responsible Products Value table will be

released for consultation in January 2020.

Please email [email protected] to be notified when

it is released.)

While this is effectively a new credit, it is inspired

by the current Sustainable products credit in

Green Star – Design & As Built. The primary

differences for this credit are:

• It focuses exclusively on the building

structure;

• Scoring for sustainability initiatives is

cumulative;

• A wider variety of sustainability initiatives are

available to pursue; and

• Incentives have been added to drive ongoing

improvement in sustainability of products

Separating the structure from other building

components is a strategic consideration by the

GBCA to drive innovation in this space.

The introduction of the four target

areas Responsibility, Transparency, Foresight,

and Stewardship – is to encourage

a holistic viewpoint when selecting products.

The building’s structure is comprised of responsibly manufactured products.

21








Outcome


Exceptional performance Responsible procurement, Responsible envelope, Responsible systems, Responsible finishes (Responsible)


None

√ √ √


To calculate exceptional performance, a small proportion of the products in the building structure

must have a higher score than typical.

There are two pathways to show exceptional performance

• 10% of all products in the structure by cost each have a score of at least 15 (significant

improvement); or

• 30% of all products in the structure by cost have an average score of at least 12 (major

improvement).

Refer to Credit achievement for applicability & guidance. Refer to Credit achievement for changes. Refer to Credit achievement for rationale.

The building’s structure is comprised of responsibly manufactured products.

22







• Generally, do you agree with the proposed methodology?

• Is the 80% threshold reasonable for structural elements? Should this be by cost, or

something else?

• Do you agree with the minimum score a product must meet to contribute towards the

80% threshold? If not, what should the minimum score be?

(Note: the Responsible Products Value table will be released for consultation in January

2020. Please email [email protected] to be notified when it is released.)

• Do you agree with the Exceptional performance thresholds? If not, what should they

be?


23








Outcome

Credit achievement


Responsible procurement, Responsible structure, Responsible systems (Responsible)


None

√ √


80% of all components in the building envelope by cost must meet the relevant sustainability

attributes score.

These envelopes are defined as those that surround a building such as the façade, and all façade

components such as external shading and insulation, as well as roofing systems. Elements that

serve a dual purpose (e.g. Solar panel that serves as a roof) can be claimed in this and other

credits.

The sustainability attributes score is calculated on a per product basis. Each product is scored

based on the number of initiatives that it achieves across four target areas:



• Foresight - Manufacturer is preparing for future low-carbon production and the

circular economy; and

• Stewardship - Supply chain is operated ethically, respecting human rights and

lower environmental impact

Each product that contributes towards the 80% (by cost) must achieve a score of at least 10 or

more.

Scores for each product can be obtained from the Green Star Product Register, or by using

the Responsible Products Value table. Scoring is cumulative, rewarding each initiative achieved. A


The percentage of envelope that has a compliant score is used to determine compliance with

the credit.




Via an online digital platform, the GBCA will be

introducing a directory of pre-approved products. The goal is

to ensure that products are approved once in Green Star,

not once per project.

Manufacturers will be able to provide GBCA

with information that shows that a product

complies with the requirements of the relevant credits. The

product will then be scored.

When a product is used that has a score in the Green

Star Product Register, the project team would provide a link

to the register and proof of use of the product in the project.

This is a register of compliant products documentation.

It is not an assessment of the

products’ quality or environmental attributes. We are

assessing their documentation, not their qualities.

Products not listed in the Green Star Products Register

may also be used. In these cases, the project team will

be required to provide proof of compliance to the initiatives

in the Responsible Products Value table.


Please refer to page 20 for further details.



Please email [email protected] to be notified

when it is released.)


by the current Sustainable Products credit in

Green Star – Design & As Built. The primary

differences for this credit are:

• It focuses exclusively on the building

envelope;


cumulative;



• Incentives have been added to drive

ongoing improvement in sustainability of

products

Separating the envelope from other building



The introduction of the four target areas -

Responsibility, Transparency, Foresight, and

Stewardship – is to encourage a

holistic viewpoint when selecting products.

The building’s envelope is comprised of responsibly manufactured products.

24








Outcome


Exceptional performance Responsible procurement, Responsible structure, Responsible systems (Responsible)


None

√ √


To calculate exceptional performance, a small proportion of the products in the building envelope

must have a higher score than typical.


• 10% of all products in the envelope by cost each have a score of at least 15 (significant

improvement); or

• 30% of all products in the envelop by cost have an average score of at least 12 (major

improvement)


The building’s envelope is comprised of responsibly manufactured products.

25







• Is the 80% threshold reasonable? Should this be by cost, or another metric?


80% threshold? If not, what should the minim score be?






26








Outcome

Credit achievement


Responsible procurement, Responsible envelope, Responsible finishes (Responsible)


None

√ √ √

Responsible systems

20% of all mechanical, hydraulic, transportation, and electrical systems by cost must meet the

relevant environmental and social attributes score. At least 10% of the systems for each discipline

(mechanical, hydraulic, transportation and electrical) must achieve the minimum score.

This credit addresses active systems. Passive systems such as a façade shading device are not

included. However, where an element is part of an active system, such as a solar panel that may

also serve as a roof, this can be counted in this and other credits.






• Foresight - Manufacturer is preparing for future low-carbon production and

the circular economy; and

• Stewardship - Supply chain is operated ethically, respecting human rights

and lower environmental impact

Each product that contributes towards the 20% (by cost) must achieve a score of at least 7 or

more.




The percentage of systems that has a compliant score is used to determine compliance with

the credit.
















It is not an assessment of the products’ quality or environme ntal attributes. We are assessing their documentation, not

their qualities.












by the current credit in Green Star – Design

& As Built. The primary differences for this

credit are:

• It focuses exclusively on the building's

systems;


cumulative;





products

Separating the systems from other building



The introduction of the target areas -


Stewardship – is to encourage

a holistic viewpoint when selecting products.

The building’s mechanical, electrical, and hydraulic systems are comprised of responsibly manufactured products and materials.

27








Outcome


Exceptional performance Responsible procurement, Responsible envelope, Responsible finishes (Responsible)


None

√ √ √

Responsible systems

To calculate exceptional performance, a small proportion of the systems in the building must have

a higher score than typical.


• 10% of all products in the building systems by cost each have a score of

at least 12 (significant improvement); or

• 30% of all products in the building systems by cost have an average score of

at least 9 (major improvement)


The building’s mechanical, electrical, and hydraulic systems are comprised of responsibly manufactured products and materials.

28







• Is the 20% threshold reasonable? Should this be by cost, or another metric?







Responsible systems

29








Outcome

Credit achievement


Responsible procurement (Responsible)


None

√ √

Responsible finishes

80% of all internal building finishes by area must meet the relevant sustainability attributes score.

Finishes include flooring, plasterboard, paints, ceilings, partitions, doors, internal windows or

similar. Area is calculated as the surface of the component facing the space. A

simplified calculation is acceptable. Where a component faces two spaces (e.g. a door), it is

counted once for each space.






• Foresight - Manufacturer is preparing for future low-carbon production and

the circular economy; and

• Stewardship - Supply chain is operated ethically, respecting human rights

and lower environmental impact

Each product that contributes towards the 80% (by area) must achieve a score of at least 7 or

more.




The percentage of finishes that has a compliant score is used to determine compliance with

the credit.
















It is not an assessment of the

products’ quality or environmental attributes. We are

assessing their documentation, not their qualities.












by the current credit in Green Star – Design

& As Built. The primary differences for this

credit are:

• It focuses exclusively on the building's

finishes;


cumulative;





products

Separating the finishes from other building



The introduction of the four target areas -


Stewardship –is to encourage a holistic viewpoint

when selecting products

The building’s internal finishes are comprised of responsibly manufactured products and materials.

30








Outcome


Exceptional performance Responsible procurement (Responsible)


None

√ √


To calculate exceptional performance, a small proportion of the products and materials used as

finishes must have a higher score than typical.


• 10% of all products and materials used as finishes by area each have a score of

at least 12 (significant improvement); or

• 30% of all products and materials used as finishes by area have an average score of

at least 9 (major improvement)


The building’s internal finishes are comprised of responsibly manufactured products and materials.

31







• Generally, do you agree with the proposed methodology?

• Is the 80% threshold reasonable? Should this be by area, or another metric?








32



33







Outcome

Minimum expectation


Verification and handover (Responsible); Amenity and comfort (Healthy)

Goal 3 (Good Health and Wellbeing)

None

√ √ √

Clean air

Ventilation system attributes

The building ventilation systems must be designed to comply with ASHRAE Standard 62.1:2013 in

regard to minimum separation distances between pollution sources and outdoor air intakes.

Any mechanical ventilation system within the building, whether existing or new, must be designed

to provide adequate access to both sides of all moisture and debris-catching components for

maintenance within the air distribution system.

All new and existing ductwork that serves the building must be cleaned prior to occupation in

accordance with recognised Standards. This includes all ductwork in the base building that serves

the building from the air handling unit(s) to the supply vents. If no ductwork exists, these

requirements are deemed to be met.

Provision of outdoor air

For mechanically ventilated or mixed-mode spaces, outdoor air is provided at a rate 50% greater

than the minimum required by AS 1668.2:2012, or CO2 concentrations are maintained below

800ppm.

For naturally ventilated spaces, the requirements of AS 1668.4-2012 are met. The nominated area

must be provided with the quantity of outdoor air appropriate for the activities and conditions in the

space. The systems provided must not rely on its operation or adjustment by the facility

management to achieve the required performance; the credit will only be awarded for permanent

building attributes.

The primary mode of ventilation is defined as how the ventilation system is expected to operate for

at least 70% of occupied hours. Standard hours of occupancy are defined design occupancy.

Exhaust or elimination of pollutants

It must be demonstrated that pollutants from printing and photocopying equipment, cooking

processes and equipment are limited from the nominated area by either:

• Removing the source of pollutants; or

• Exhausting the pollutants directly to the outside.

For the first option, sources of pollutants, such as printing or photocopy equipment, kitchen stoves

or vehicles, must be compliant with minimum emissions standards or not be present within the

nominated area.

For the second option, specified sources of pollutants shall be exhausted directly to the outside of

the project in accordance with a recognised Standard, and/or physically separated from

occupants.


CO2 Benchmarks – Performance Based Approach

The GBCA notes that the CO2 ppm benchmark is used as a

proxy for a percentage increase in outdoor air levels and

they are not necessarily equivalent. Two options are

provided for flexibility.

Provision of Outdoor Air - Natural Ventilation

Areas that have heating and cooling provided by an air

conditioning system which does not include ducted outside

air ventilation (such as a wall mounted split system) are

considered a mechanically ventilated space.

Removing the Source of Pollutants

There is an allowance for base building projects to

demonstrate contractual obligations with the tenant to

comply with credit requirements where relevant.

Base building vs tenant guidance

The tenancy must be included if it is within the scope of the

rating (e.g. integrated fit out).

Where project delivery is base building only, the likely tenant

fit out should be considered within the design

and measurement phase.

The tenant fit out can be considered by either:

• The base building project demonstrating full compliance

with credit requirements;

• The base building project demonstrating

contractual obligation for all tenant fit out works to

comply with credit requirements; or

• A combination of the above.

General

The primary change from Green Star Design &

As-Built has been the separation of the credit

criteria into the minimum expectation criteria and

the credit achievement criteria.

The difference between the Minimum

expectation criteria and the credit achievement

criteria has been the difference in the

percentage and CO2 concentrations of outdoor

air provided by mechanically ventilated or mixed-

mode spaces. For the minimum expectation

criteria CO2 concentrations must be maintained

below 800ppm, whereas, for the credit

achievement the concentrations must remain

below 640ppm.

Clarification of naturally ventilated spaces

Added to guidance: Areas that have heating and

cooling provided by an air conditioning system

which does not include ducted outside air

ventilation (such as a wall mounted split system)

are considered a mechanically ventilated space.

General

Outdoor air provided at a rate 50% greater than

the minimum required by AS 1668.2:2012, or

CO2 concentrations are maintained

below 800ppm, is a reasonable expectation for

all buildings targeting Green Star.

To be rewarded for outdoor air or CO2

concentrations, projects must go beyond these

requirements.

Clarification of naturally ventilated spaces

This introduction is intended to disallow projects

from providing a design that includes natural

ventilation through a facade, but with air

conditioning (AC) for space heating / cooling

only. While the AC system does not provide

ventilation, it will likely result in a highly inefficient

design for energy consumption, Projects should

either:

• Design their naturally ventilated projects with

passive features and/or ceiling fans to ensure

occupants are comfortable; or

• If AC is provided, it should be an OA ducted

system and not rely on natural ventilation

through a façade.

Without the above clarification, a project may

provide AC and natural ventilation, which could

result in heated/cooled air flowing in and out of

the façade uncontrolled.

Pollutants entering the building are minimised, and a high level of fresh air is provided to

ensure levels of indoor pollutants are maintained at acceptable levels.

34







Outcome


Credit achievement Verification and handover (Responsible); Amenity and comfort (Healthy)


None

√ √ √

Clean air

The criteria for credit achievement in Clean air is the same as the Minimum expectation, with the

only change being the following:

• For mechanically ventilated or mixed-mode spaces, outdoor air is provided at a rate 100%

greater than the minimum required by AS 1668.2:2012, or CO2 concentrations are maintained

below 650ppm.

Refer to Minimum expectation for applicability & guidance. CO2 levels have dropped to 650ppm from

700ppm in Green Star – Design & As Built.

Industry feedback indicates 650% is best

practice. The GBCA are wanting to consult on

this level.

Pollutants entering the building are minimised, and a high level of fresh air is provided

to ensure levels of indoor pollutants are maintained at acceptable levels.

35





Yes No


Do you support the detail of the proposed credit?

• Do you agree with the provision of outdoor air rates and CO2 concentrations? For

both the minimum requirement and the credit achievement?

• Do you agree with the guidance on naturally ventilated spaces?

• Are the base building and tenancy requirements reasonable?

• Is 650 ppm achievable for all building types and locations (i.e. CBD vs. regional

buildings)?

Clean air

36







Outcome

Minimum expectation


Amenity and comfort (Healthy)


None

√ √ √

Light quality

Minimum lighting comfort

All occupied spaces must comply. Where no lighting system is being provided in the occupied

areas, only comply with the daylight expectations.

All lighting must be flicker-free.

Light sources must have a minimum Colour Rendering Index (CRI) average R1 to R8 of 80 or

higher. Light sources must also have an CRI R9 of 50 or higher. If a specific activity requires a

lower CRI, the project can justify its exclusion, in accordance with Table 7.2 in AS1680.1:2006.

Best practice lighting levels for each task within each space type is defined as lighting with a

maintained illuminance that meets the levels recommended in the relevant Standard. Guidance for

different space types and activity types are listed in AS1680. The maintained Illuminance values

must achieve a uniformity of no less than that specified in Table 3.2 of AS 1680.1:2006, with an

assumed standard maintenance factor of 0.8. Where recommended maintained illuminance values

for a particular space are not specified, the values to be used must relate to the closest type of

task as defined in AS/NZS 1680.1:2006 Table 3.1.

For residential spaces, the lighting design includes or permits general fixed lighting that provides

good maintained illuminance values for the entire room; and the installed fittings all have a

rated colour variation not exceeding 3 MacAdam Ellipses (decorative fittings being exempt).

Glare

Glare from all lamps must be minimised in accordance with AS1680.1.

Daylight

For non-residential buildings, at least 20% of the primary spaces per floor or tenancy (whichever is

smaller) must receive high levels of daylight.

For residential buildings, 40% of the combined living and bedroom area of each apartment unit

must comply with the daylight requirements, or, 70% of bedroom and apartment areas must

receive at least 2 hours of daylight access, whichever is the largest amount of daylight.


Flicker-free lights

Flicker-free lighting refers to luminaires that have either:

• A minimum Class A1 & A2 ballast for all fluorescent

lighting;

• Electronic ballasts for all High Intensity Discharge (HID)

lighting;

• Electronic drivers that feature 12-bit or greater resolution

for all Light-emitting Diode (LED) lighting; or

• High frequency ballasts for all other lighting types

Daylight has been introduced as a minimum

requirement. The threshold has been set at

20%.

Incandescent (including Halogen dichroic (e.g.

low-voltage downlights), and High-Intensity

Discharge (e.g. metal halide, low/high pressure

sodium) are not acceptable.

Industry and working group feedback following

the Consultation Paper indicated that daylight

should be explored as a minimum requirement.

The threshold of 20% has been reduced from the

current credit, which starts at 40%. The reason

for this is that achieving high daylight is not

always achievable due to factors outside the

control of building designers.

Lowering the threshold will still deliver

good outcomes for buildings without creating a

barrier for uptake.

In terms of not allowing incandescent and high-

density discharge lighting, there are now good

LED solutions in the market, which Green Star

encourages projects to use.

The building’s lighting is of high quality and matches occupant’s rhythm and changes throughout the day.

37







Outcome


Credit achievement Amenity and comfort (Healthy)


None

√ √ √

Light quality

The project must either comply with either the Daylight and Glare or Artificial Lighting criteria.

Daylight

For non-residential buildings, at least 40% of the primary spaces per floor or tenancy (whichever is

smaller) must receive high levels of daylight. Tinted glazing, fixed shading devices, or blinds and

screens are acceptable methods of managing glare.

For residential buildings, or 60% of the combined living and bedroom area of each apartment unit

must comply with the daylight requirements. Also, the daylight levels must also be present in at

least 20% of the area of each bedroom and living area. Residential buildings, or hospitality

buildings, must provide room blackout blinds or curtains to all bedrooms. If blinds or curtains are

part of a packaged décor, all blinds offered for the bedroom décor must be blackout blinds.

There are two options for demonstrating compliance:

Manual Calculations

Calculations must comply with the GBCA’s Green Star Daylight and Views Hand Calculation

Guide.

Daylight Autonomy

High Levels of daylight are deemed to have at least 160 lux due to daylight during 80% of the

nominated hours.

Artificial lighting

The lighting solution must address the quality of light in the space, provide highlights and contrast,

and help regulate an occupant’s circadian rhythm.

The lighting solution must light most ceilings and walls in occupied areas as follows:

• The wall area above the working plane has an average surface reflectance value of 0.75

and an average surface illuminance of at least 50% of the lighting levels on the working

plane.

• The ceiling area has an average surface reflectance value of 0.75 and an average surface

illuminance of at least 30% of the lighting levels on the working plane. The average ceiling

luminance (excluding fixtures) does not exceed 0.5kcd/m2 and at no point does the

maximum luminance exceed 1.5kcd/m2.

The illuminance values must be calculated in accordance with AS/NZS 1680.1:2006. Where

unknown, a conservative estimate can be used.

The lighting solution should provide for highlights of colour and contrast across multiple spaces

(1680 Appendix E). The contrast between spaces should not exceed a maximum illuminance

ration of 10 to 1 (AS1680.1 Table 3.2). Tasks must not have a significant contrast ratio between

them and should also consider the Maximum luminance ratios (AS1680.1 Table 3.2.)

There are two options for demonstrating how the lighting has been designed to help regulate an

occupant’s circadian rhythm:

• Compliance with UL RP 24480 “Recommended Practice and Design Guideline for Promoting

Circadian Entrainment with Light for Day - Active People”; or

• Compliance with WELL feature 54: Circadian lighting design.

This credit is applicable to all building sectors. Further

guidance for residential and retail projects is in

development.

Compliance with other standards

Other options to comply with the Daylight

Credit achievement path:

• Comply with WELL feature 56 ‘Solar Glare

Control’, WELL feature 60 ‘Automated shading and

dimming controls’, WELL feature 61 ‘Right to Light’, and

WELL feature 62 ‘Daylight modeling’.

Other options to comply with the ‘Artificial Lighting’

Credit achievement path

• Comply with WELL feature 53 ‘Visual lighting

design’, WELL feature 55 ‘Electric light glare control’,

WELL feature 58 ‘Color Quality’, WELL feature 59

‘Surface Design’.

For Daylight, daylight factor has been removed

as a pathway for demonstrating compliance.

As industry experience and modelling software

has evolved, more sophisticated options for

daylight modelling have become available. As

such, simplified solutions such as Daylight Factor

modelling has been removed from the credit as

an option.


38







Outcome


Exceptional performance Amenity and comfort (Healthy)


None

√ √ √

Light quality

The building provides daylight as noted in the Credit achievement. The building’s lighting system

also complies with the Credit achievement. The building’s lighting system adjusts itself as needed

based on the daylight levels to provide the most suitable lighting condition to the building’s

occupants.

Refer to Credit achievement for applicability & guidance. Leading design practice in buildings is delivering fully integrated solutions. Sophisticated lighting

controls that support a high degree of daylight access provide the optimum lighting solution for any

situation.


39





Yes No



• Do you support the proposal that the minimum requirement for light quality is either

good daylight or good artificial light design?

• Do you agree with removing daylight factor?

• Does this credit apply to all building types? Should there be different requirements

based on building type?

• For Exceptional performance, do you agree that both daylight and artificial lighting

must be met?

• Does the exceptional performance work in all sectors?

• Should UDI (useable daylight indicator) be considered as a daylight indicator?

• Do you think circadian rhythm should be introduced as part of the credit

achievement?

• What other guidance would be useful for this credit?

Light quality

40







Outcome

Minimum expectation


Clean air, Amenity and comfort (Healthy)


None

√ √ √

Exposure to toxins

Projects must comply with both criteria below.

Paints, adhesive, sealants and carpets

All internally applied paints, adhesives, sealants (by volume) and carpets (by area) must meet

stipulated ‘Total VOC Limits’. Where no paints, adhesives, sealants or carpets are used in the

building, this requirement is met.

Emissions for each application must be acquired through recognised testing methods and reported

through a recognised datasheet. In the case of paints and adhesives and sealants, theoretical

TVOC calculations are also acceptable.

The VOC limits are stipulated later in this credit.

Total VOC (TVOC) values must reflect the final ready to use product, inclusive of tints (in the case

of paints) and made in grams of VOC per litre (g/L) of ready to use product. Compliance can be

demonstrated in the following ways:

• The product(s) are certified under a recognised Product Certification Scheme. The certificate

must be current at the time of purchase;

• The product(s) are tested in a laboratory; or

• There are no paints, adhesives, sealants and carpets in the building at practical completion

Engineered wood products

Either no new engineered wood products are used in the building, or at least 95% (by area) of all

engineered wood products meet specified formaldehyde emission limits.

The formaldehyde limits are stipulated later in this credit.

Where there are engineered wood products, compliance to emission limits can be demonstrated in

two ways (any combination):

• The product(s) are certified under a recognized Product Certification Scheme. The certificate

must be current at the time of purchase; and/or

• The product(s) are tested in a laboratory.

Formwork, car parking applications, and non-engineered wood products (such as milled timber)

are excluded from the credit.

No lead, asbestos and PCBs

A comprehensive hazardous materials survey has been carried out on any existing buildings or

structures on the project site, in accordance with the relevant Environmental and Occupational

Health and Safety (OH&S) legislation.

Where the survey identified asbestos, lead or PCBs in any existing buildings or structures the

materials have been stabilised, or removed and disposed of in accordance with best practice

guidelines; or the survey concluded that no hazardous materials were found in any existing

buildings or structures on the project site.


Documentation requirements

Although the purpose of this round of consultation is to not

gather feedback on documentation requirements, for the

purpose for the Exposure to toxins credit providing clarity is

important.

For the Minimum expectation, the GBCA will require all

evidence for carpets and paints, as per Green Star – Design

& As Built requirements. To meet compliance for adhesives

and sealants, these must be specified at tender stage. No

further evidence is required. For the purpose of the

Minimum expectation, specifying low VOC adhesives and

sealants meets the intent.

For engineered wood products, evidence must be provided

that the top three types of engineered wood products (by

area) used in the building meet relevant limits specified. All

other engineered wood products must be specified at tender

stage.

Lead, asbestos and PCBs

This credit element is deemed ‘Not Applicable’ if the existing

building on the project site began construction after 1

January 2005. This includes projects that are

refurbishments, or building extensions of existing buildings

for which construction started after 1 January 2005.

The use of the hazardous materials targeted by this credit

element have been banned in Australia for a number of

years so this topic presents no environmental benefit to new

buildings.

Changed from 95% to 100% for VOCs

Note: VOC and formaldehyde limits as listed

have not changed from Green Star – Design &

As Built.

Documentation requirements

The GBCA are cognisant that these criterion

are documentation intense. As a minimum

expectation, this may serve as a barrier to

uptake.

As such, all evidence for carpets and paints is

required, while for adhesives and sealants

specifications in tender packages is sufficient.

Carpets and paints are typically large contracts,

whilst adhesives and sealants are usually many

smaller ones (or no contracts at all). It is

therefore easier to collect evidence when a

smaller number of suppliers is used.

Requiring evidence for carpets and paints

reduces the documentation requirements but still

guarantees a high level of compliance. This is

because carpets and paints are a significant

portion of VOC in a building (working group

estimates this could be as high as 80%).

The building’s occupants are not directly exposed to toxins in the space they work, play, or live in.

41







Outcome


Credit achievement Clean air, Amenity and comfort (Healthy)


None

√ √ √

Exposure to toxins

VOC limits must be tested on site and meet the following thresholds:

Samples must be collected in all regularly occupied spaces. For open plan areas, a sample must

be taken for every 40m2.

Sample testing must take place after practical completion and before any occupants move into the

building.

This credit is applicable to all building sectors. Whilst VOC content and emissions limits play an important role in the procurement of products and

materials, an on-site test is the most accurate reflection of air quality inside buildings.

Introducing the on-site performance test is in line with other international rating tools and reflective of

best practice in industry currently.

The building’s occupants are not directly exposed to toxins in the space they work, play, or live in.

Element Concentration

TVOC 0.27 ppm

Formaldehyde 0.02 ppm

42


Exposure to toxins

Product category

Max TVOC content in grams

per litre (g/L) of ready to use

product.

General purpose adhesives and

sealants50

Interior wall and ceiling paint, all

sheen levels16

Trim, varnishes and wood stains 75

Primers, sealers and prep coats 65

One and two pack performance

coatings for floors140

Acoustic sealants, architectural

sealant, waterproofing membranes

and sealant, fire retardant sealants

and adhesives

250

Structural glazing adhesive, wood

flooring and laminate adhesives and

sealants

100

Paints, Adhesives and Sealants

Compliance Option Test Protocol Limit

ASTM D5116

ASTM D5116 - Total VOC

limit*0.5mg/m2 per hour

ASTM D5116 - 4-PC

(4-Phenylcyclohexene)*0.05mg/m2 per hour

ISO 16000 / EN 13419ISO 16000 / EN 13419 -

TVOC at three days0.5 mg/m2 per hour

ISO 10580 / ISO/TC 219

(Document N238)

ISO 10580 / ISO/TC 219

(Document N238) - TVOC

at 24 hours

0.5mg/m2 per hour

Test ProtocolEmissions Limit / Unit

of Measurement

AS/NZS 2269:2004, testing procedure AS/NZS 2098.11:2005 method 10 for Plywood ≤1mg/L

AS/NZS 1859.1:2004 - Particle Board, with use of testing procedure AS/NZS

4266.16:2004 method 16≤1.5 mg/L

AS/NZS 1859.2:2004 - MDF, with use of testing procedure AS/NZS 4266.16:2004

method 16≤1mg/L

AS/NZS 4357.4 - Laminated Veneer Lumber (LVL) ≤1mg/L

Japanese Agricultural Standard MAFF Notification No.701 Appendix Clause 3 (11) - LVL ≤1mg/L

JIS A 5908:2003- Particle Board and Plywood, with use of testing procedure JIS A 1460 ≤1mg/L

JIS A 5905:2003 - MDF, with use of testing procedure JIS A 1460 ≤1mg/L

JIS A1901 (not applicable to Plywood, applicable to high pressure laminates and

compact laminates)≤0.1 mg/m²hr*

ASTM D5116 (applicable to high pressure laminates and compact laminates) ≤0.1 mg/m²hr

ISO 16000 part 9, 10 and 11 (also known as EN 13419), applicable to high pressure

laminates and compact laminates≤0.1 mg/m²hr (at 3 days)

ASTM D6007 ≤0.12mg/m³**

ASTM E1333 ≤0.12mg/m³***

EN 717-1 (also known as DIN EN 717-1) ≤0.12mg/m³

EN 717-2 (also known as DIN EN 717-2) ≤3.5mg/m²hr

*mg/m²hr may also be represented as mg/m²/hr.

**The test report must confirm that the conditions of Table 3 comply for the particular wood product

type, the final results must be presented in EN 717-1 equivalent (as presented in the table) using the

correlation ratio of 0.98.

***The final results must be presented in EN 717-1 equivalent (as presented in the table), using the

correlation ratio of 0.98.

Carpets Engineered Wood Products

VOC and Formaldehyde Limits

43





Yes No



• Do you support the proposal that 100% of internally applied paints, adhesives,

sealants (by volume) and carpets (by area) meet stipulated ‘Total VOC Limits’?

• The minimum expectation proposes VOC content, as per Green Star – Design &

As Built. Should this instead be emissions testing? If so, what limits should

be referenced?

• Do you support the proposal that full documentation be provided for carpets

and paints, whist sealants and adhesives require specification at tender stage

only?

• Do you agree with the documentation proposal for engineered wood products?

• Are the VOC limits still relevant? Should they change? To what?

• Do you feel comfortable that specifying adhesives and sealants will deliver the

intended outcome? Would you feel more comfortable for the Minimum expectation

to collate and provide all documentation? Would this be a barrier for you?

• Do you support on-site verification as the credit achievement? There are three

approach to testing: handheld devices, carbon tubes, or thermal exhaustion. Which

should we prescribe?

• Are the on-site thresholds adequate? If not, why?

Exposure to toxins

44







Outcome

Minimum expectation


Amenity and comfort (Healthy); Verification and handover (Responsible)


None

√ √ √

Noise levels

Internal noise levels

Internal ambient noise levels are suitable and relevant to the activity type in the room.

Project teams demonstrate that internal ambient noise levels in the nominated area are within the

range recommended in AS/NZS 2107:2016. Noise measurement and documentation must be

provided by a qualified acoustic consultant and in accordance with AS/NZS 2107:2016.

Noise measurement must account for all internal and external noise including noise arising from

building services equipment, noise emission from outdoor sources such as traffic, and (where

known) noise from industrial process. Occupancy noise is excluded.

Compliance shall be demonstrated through measurement, and the measurements shall be

conducted in at least 10% of the spaces in the nominated area. The selection of representative

spaces must be justified and must consider how the spaces are considered to be the most

conservative with respect to both internal, and external noise sources.

The range of measurement locations shall be representative of all spaces available within the

nominated area. All relevant building systems must be in operation at the time of measurement.

Projects less than 500m2 Gross Floor Area (GFA) must account for measurements conducted in at

least 95% of spaces within the nominated area.

Provisions for Naturally Ventilated Buildings

In naturally ventilated buildings, all measurements must be carried out with natural ventilation

openings in the open position. The internal ambient noise levels must be:

• No more than 10dB(A) above the lower figure in the range recommended in AS/NZS

2107:2016; or

• Within the range recommended in AS/NZS 2107:2016.

Provisions for Mixed Mode Buildings

For purposes of this credit, mixed mode buildings can be treated as mechanically ventilated.


All tenant scope should be included where relevant within

the scope of the rating (e.g. integrated fit out).

Nominated area

Includes all primary and secondary spaces and living and

sleeping areas in residential apartments. A space can be

excluded if the standard recommends that specialist advice

be sought, such as in a theatre.

Project teams are encouraged to submit a

Technical Question where best practice acoustic comfort

deviates from the standard.

Qualified acoustic consultant

A Member or Fellow of the Australian Acoustical Society

(MAAS, FAAS) or qualified staff member within an

Association of Australasian Acoustical Consultants (AAAC)

member firm.

Reference to Table 1 of AS/NZS 2107:2016

replaced with reference to whole standard.

Reference to internal noise levels “no more than

5dB(A) above the lower figure in Table 1 of

AS/NZS 2107:2016” replaced with “within the

range recommended in AS/NZS 2107:2016”

Reference to AS/NZS 2107:2016 has been

expanded to enable designer to use the whole

standard.

The building provides appropriate and comfortable acoustic conditions for occupants.

45







Outcome


Credit achievement Amenity and comfort (Healthy); Verification and handover (Responsible)


None

√ √ √

Noise levels

Areas have been built to reduce the persistence of sound to a level suitable to the activities in the

space, and spaces have been built to minimise crosstalk between rooms, and between rooms and

open spaces.

Reverberation

The reverberation time in the nominated area is within the range recommended in

AS/NZS2107:2016.

Reverberation time refers to the time taken for reverberantly decaying sound pressure level to

decrease by 60 decibels in a room. The range of measurement locations shall be representative of

all spaces available within the nominated area. All relevant buildings systems must be in operation

at the time of measurement.

For residential projects, this criterion is ‘Not Applicable’.

Acoustic separation

The project addresses noise transmission in enclosed spaces within the nominated area. Enclosed

space is defined as meeting rooms, private offices, classrooms, residential apartments (bounding

apartment construction), and any other similar space where it is expected that noise should not

carry over from one space to the next.

The project can demonstrate compliance through:

• Sound reduction - The partition between the spaces should be constructed to achieve a

weighted sound reduction index (Rw) of:

• At least 45; for all partitions which are:

• Fixed without a door; and/or

• Glazed partitions without a door*.

• At least 35; for all partition types that contain a door.

• Sound insulation - The sound insulation between enclosed spaces complies with: Dw + LAeqT

> 75.

Residential Projects

• The inter-tenancy apartment construction to habitable areas results in airborne noise isolation

standard of Rw+Ctr > 55; and

• All inter-tenancy walls should include Discontinuous Construction as defined by the Building

Code of Australia; and

• Walls between apartments and public corridors results in airborne noise isolation standard of

Rw > 55; and

• The floor construction above habitable rooms and wet areas of adjacent dwellings (i.e. floor

cover) results in an impact isolation standard of Ln,w + CI < 55; and

• Apartment entry doors include acoustic seals and achieve laboratory acoustic rating of Rw 30.


All tenant scope should be included where relevant within

the scope of the rating (e.g. integrated fit out).

Nominated area

Includes all primary and secondary spaces and living and

sleeping areas in residential apartments. A space can be

excluded if the standard recommends that specialist advice

be sought, such as in a theatre.

Project teams are encouraged to submit a Technical

Question where best practice acoustic comfort deviates from

the standard.

Qualified Acoustic Consultant

A Member or Fellow of the Australian Acoustical Society

(MAAS, FAAS) or qualified staff member within an

Association of Australasian Acoustical Consultants (AAAC)

member firm.

Reverberation

Reference to Table 1 of AS/NZS 2107:2016

replaced with reference to whole standard.

Reference to reverberation time changed from

“below the maximum stated in the

‘Recommended Reverberation Time’ provided in

Table 1 of AS/NZS 2107:2016” replaced

with “within the range recommended in

AS/NZS 2107:2016”.

Improved reverberation time criteria flexibility for

area’s not specifically listed in AS/NZS

2107:2016

Qualified Acoustic Consultant definition updated

to require either member or fellow status of AAS.

Refer to Minimum expectation for rationale.

The building provides appropriate and comfortable acoustic conditions for occupants.

46





Yes No



• Do you support the criteria in the Minimum expectations and Credit achievement?

Should any component be moved?

• Is the Minimum expectation appropriate for naturally ventilated buildings? Will this

exclude buildings unfairly?

• Do you support reference the whole AS/NZS 2107:2016 Standard as opposed to

only Table 1?

• What other guidance would be useful?

• Is there an Exceptional performance level for this credit? What would that look like?

Noise levels

47







Outcome


Credit achievement Clear air, Light quality, Noise levels (Healthy)


None

√ √ √ √

Amenity and comfort

Non-residential buildings

For non-residential buildings, the following must be met:

• Provide a quiet room and a parents room (with support for lactation activities) for occupants

either on a per floor, or per 2,000m2 basis. These rooms must be separate from the

bathrooms. The provision of these rooms must feature natural materials, high quality design,

and good ventilation.

• The building must be designed to provide a range of thermally and acoustically comfortable

spaces. This means that the building’s systems allow for a variability of temperatures. The

building can adjust temperature and thermal conditions so that parts of the building can have a

thermal variation of at least 3°C. The building would also need to account for acoustic

variability by providing options for spaces that are at least 5dB lower than the typical areas.

These spaces should also have appropriate lighting and access to daylight and are

considered occupied spaces.

• Finally, the building has also been designed to provide accessible and highly visible stairs

between multi-story tenancies. The building must either provide the stairs, or have the

provision of a space for stairs to be installed in the future without significant demolition.

Residential buildings

For residential buildings, including hospitality buildings, thermostats that control temperature and

fan speed much be provided for each unit.

This credit is applicable to all building sectors. The Amenity and comfort credit has been introduced to promote comfortable environments for people

to work and live in.

For non-residential projects, the benefits of providing a comfortable workplace includes positively

impacting employee productivity and health and wellbeing. Universality regarding thermal, acoustic,

lighting comfort does not maximise occupants' enjoyment of being inside a building.

Building's should instead promote variability. Doing so will contributes towards comfortable workplace

which helps to foster a positive atmosphere.

Other aspects that have been included in this credit include the provision of a quiet room and a

parent's room. The intent is to create spaces for people to have flexible work arrangements as well as

creating alternative spaces for people to work in.

The provision of stairs in between multi-story tenancies will encourage mobility, which will benefit

people’s health and wellbeing. If designed well, there are also aesthetic benefits of stairs.

For residential projects, the benefits of this credit is to provide thermal comfort options, allowing

tenants to adjust to their desired use.

Occupants have a variety of internal amenities that improve their experience of using the building.

48





Yes No



• Do you agree that providing variability in terms of acoustic, thermal and light comfort

delivers a good outcome for a building?

• Are the requirements of this credit reasonable? Would there be any barriers to

uptake and if so, what are they?

• Should there be any other requirements for residential buildings?

Amenity and comfort

49







Outcome


Credit achievement Biodiversity enhancement, Nature stewardship (Nature)

Goal 3 (Good Health and Wellbeing); Goal 15 (Life on Land)

None

√ √ √ √ √

Human connection to nature

The building must connect people to nature by:

• Providing views;

• Incorporating planting within the building (inside and/or outside); and

• Nature-inspired (biophilic) design elements.

Views

At least 60% of the nominated area has a clear line of sight to a high quality internal or external

view. All floor areas within 8m from a compliant view can be considered to meet this credit

criterion.

Plants

Plants are provided in primary occupied spaces at a rate of one or more plants, in pots with a soil

surface area totaling at least 500cm2, every 10m2 of the nominated area.

Provide planting externally through landscaping, green walls and planters. Areas of planting must

be accessible by building users.

Nature-inspired (biophilic) design

Demonstrate that the building’s design incorporates at least five biophilic design strategies in

alignment with, but not limited to, the following principles:

• Elements that provide differing natural sensory experiences;

• Elements that reflect natural and cultural patterns and forms;

• Using natural materials; and

• Natural motifs and art.


Views

The line-of-sight shall be measured by extending a

perpendicular line from the view, be it a window, opening or

internal view. A line at 45° can be used at the corners of the

view. The thickness of the external walls must be taken into

account in the calculations. Internal or external columns can

be ignored.

A high quality external view must extend to the outside

towards natural elements such as large bodies of

vegetation, a body of water, the sky or frequent movement

of people or animals.

A high quality internal view is defined as a view towards an

area that is landscaped or contains a water feature, or an

atrium. A landscaped area must contain high plant density

and may be vertical.

Plants

If a space is completely enclosed on all sides and smaller

than 25m2, such as a meeting room, this space can be

excluded. The use of plants in enclosed areas cannot

contribute towards achieving the required number of plants

in areas neighbouring this space. Plants within an open plan

space should be distributed throughout as far as possible.

An ongoing maintenance plan must be established to

ensure plant health is maintained. Where indoor plants are

provided, a contract must be signed with a plant

maintenance contractor to enact the plan for at least two

years. The contract must include:

• The location of the fitout;

• A schedule of plants within the fitout;

• Service intervals;

• Policy regarding the maintenance of soil moisture, pH

and nutrients;

• Diseased plant replacement policy; and

• Cleaning.

Nature-inspired (biophilic) design

Using design elements to connect people to nature builds

on the other aspects of this credit. Project teams can

demonstrate this through design drawings, specifications

and a narrative supporting the principles listed in the credit.

The ‘Biophilic Design Guidebook’ by the Living Building

Institute contains design principles that can be as a guide

when developing these design strategies and responses.

This credit builds on existing concepts within

Green Star and brings them together in a credit

targeting human connection to nature.

Worldwide, more and more people are living in

cities. This percentage is set to increase from

50% in 2010, to nearly 70% by 2050 (United

Nations, 2015). In Australia, 66% of people living

in capital cities – amongst the highest in the

world.

There is growing evidence that nature has a

benefit to our health and wellbeing. There have

been numerous studies that have shown that

people exposed to nature have reduced levels of

stress, anxiety and increased feeling of

happiness. It is this inherent instinctive feeling

that we have towards nature that biophilia

captures.

This credit is inspired by the phrase ‘biophilia’ ,

which literally means a love of life or living things.

(It stems from Greek and is the opposite of

phobia. Phobia = fear of. Philia = love of). For

Green Star, this presents an opportunity to build

this into the rating tool and therefore a way to

connect people back to nature through design

and within buildings.

The building fosters human connection to nature.

50







Outcome


Exceptional performance Biodiversity enhancement, Nature stewardship (Nature)

Goal 3 (Good Health and Wellbeing); Goal 15 (Life on Land)

None

√ √ √ √ √


The building provides occupants an opportunity to touch and directly interact with nature.

Examples of active engagement opportunities include food gardens, ‘Gardening Club’ or other

nature-oriented volunteer programs. These opportunities can be incorporated inside the building,

or externally at grade or through a green wall or roof garden.

At least 5% of the building’s floor area/ or site area (whichever is greater) must be allocated to this

opportunity.

The allocated area must be accessible and have the necessary infrastructure to allow the activity

to occur (for example water source/ taps for irrigation, storage area for tools and equipment).

This credit is awarded where a project has the dedicated area and a Plan, including allocated

resources to implement identified actions.

Refer to Credit achievement for applicability & guidance. Refer to Credit achievement for changes. Refer to Credit achievement for rationale

The building fosters human connection to nature.

51





Yes No



• Do you agree that the credit criteria meets the outcome of connecting people to

nature?

• Do you agree with the nature inspired design elements being included as part of the

credit?

• Do you believe there are any sectors that should be excluded from this credit?


52


53







Outcome

Minimum expectation


Climate change resilience, Community resilience, Systems resilience (Resilient); Contribution to place (Places); Impacts to nature (Nature)


GRESB; TCFD;

√ √ √ √


The project must complete the climate change pre-screening checklist to identify and understand

the project’s exposure to climate change risks. See next page.

When completing the checklist, project team members must consider potential impacts from

climate change, including but not limited to:

• Direct damage or failure of project components;

• Accelerated deterioration of project components or reduced design life;

• Reduced operating capacity;

• Climate hazard impacts to surrounding areas (e.g. impacting access and egress);

• Impacts to the health and wellbeing of building occupants and other relevant stakeholders; and

• Indirect risks from impacts to other interdependent systems and services (e.g. transport

networks, power, water, telecommunications).

Both historic and future data should be used when completing the checklist.

The checklist must be signed off by a member of the project leadership team and shared with key

project stakeholders, including the client/building owner.

The checklist must be completed during the project’s design phase (ideally during preliminary

design) in consultation with the project management team and design team leads.

It is a minimum requirement for all projects to complete the climate change pre-screening checklist

during the design phase. See Climate change resilience credit on the next page (Pre-Screening). If

the Credit achievement for this credit is met, requirements of the pre-screening assessment are

considered to have been met.


A summary of high-level climate risk data including impacts

from extreme events are easily accessible through publicly

available resources including (but not limited to):

National Climate Data

• Climate Change in

Australia: https://www.climatechangeinaustralia.gov.a

u/en/

• CoastAdapt: https://coastadapt.com.au/how-to-

pages/use-nationalmapping-help-understand-flood-

and-erosion-risk

Regional Climate Data

• The Long Paddock (Queensland):

https://www.longpaddock.qld.gov.au

• Adapt NSW:

http://climatechange.environment.nsw.gov.au/Climate

projections-for-NSW/Interactive-map

• Victorian Climate Projections 2019:

https://www.climatechange.vic.gov.au/adapting-to-

climate-change-impacts/victorian-climate-projections-

2019

• South Australia:

https://www.environment.sa.gov.au/topics/climate-

change/how-is-climate-change-affecting-sa/climate-

change-projections

• Western Australia:

https://www.agric.wa.gov.au/climate-change/climate-

projections-western-australia

Local Climate Data

Many local councils have available hazard mapping data.

Local data related to extreme events such as flooding,

bushfire, storm surge can be easily accessed to support the

understanding of climate risks at the local scale.

While this is a new addition to the rating tool, it is

inspired by the current Adaption and Resilience

credit in Green Star – Design & As Built.

A pre-screening process is a simpler, less

comprehensive approach to a resilience

assessment.

The intention of the pre-screening process is for

all projects targeting Green Star to, at a

minimum, be aware of the climate-related risks

that face the building. Whether these are acted

upon or not, the GBCA – in consultation with the

Expert Reference Panel and the appointed

consultant – feel identifying risks is the first step

towards being resilience and a good outcome for

all buildings targeting Green Star.

The comprehensive resilience assessment (the

focus of the Credit achievement) requires

considerably more effort: the appointment of a

suitably qualified professional; wider engagement

with the project team; and incorporating designs

to withstand identified shocks and stresses. All of

these incur additional costs to a project. It is the

GBCA’s view that these initiatives represent best

practice and should be worthy of reward in the

rating tool.

It is for this reason that the pre-screening has

been selected as the minimum requirement over

the comprehensive assessment.

The project identifies climate-related risks facing the asset.

54

https://www.climatechangeinaustralia.gov.au/en/

https://coastadapt.com.au/how-to-pages/use-nationalmapping-help-understand-flood-and-erosion-risk

https://www.longpaddock.qld.gov.au/

http://climatechange.environment.nsw.gov.au/Climateprojections-for-NSW/Interactive-map

https://www.climatechange.vic.gov.au/adapting-to-climate-change-impacts/victorian-climate-projections-2019

https://www.environment.sa.gov.au/topics/climate-change/how-is-climate-change-affecting-sa/climate-change-projections

https://www.agric.wa.gov.au/climate-change/climate-projections-western-australia


Minimum expectation

Pre-Screening Assessment Checklist


Checklist criteria

Criteria response

[Yes/No]

Clarification criteria

Has data regarding future

climate exposure been

reviewed?

[Yes/No]

Has a risk to the project

been identified?

[Yes/No]

Has a risk treatment been

identified?

[Yes/No]

• Has the project area been previously impacted by extreme climate events? (e.g.

storms/tropical cyclones, extreme rainfall and flooding, damaging winds, damaging hail,

bushfires, heatwaves, drought, coastal inundation) Please indicate which events.

• Is the project located in a cyclone zone?

• Is the project located in or adjacent to a bushfire prone area?

• Is the project located in or adjacent to a flood prone area?

• Is the project located in or adjacent to the coastline or tidally influenced waterway?

• Will the project accommodate occupants vulnerable to the impacts of climate extremes? (e.g.

children, elderly, low mobility, seeking medical treatment) Please indicate potential groups of

vulnerable occupants and which events they are likely to be exposed to.

55







Outcome


Credit achievement Climate change resilience, Community resilience, Systems resilience (Resilient); Contribution to place (Places); Impacts to nature (Nature)


GRESB; TCFD;

√ √ √ √


A comprehensive project-specific climate change risk and adaptation assessment must be

developed for the project.

The assessment must use future climate change scenarios for assessment. The project team must

make an assessment of scenarios on the timescales of 2050 and 2070 as a minimum. For those

two timeframes, the project team must use a high emissions scenario consistent with a 2°C and a

scenario consistent with 4°C. Scenario descriptions must be based on the the Intergovernmental

Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) endorsed emissions scenarios.

The assessment must then identify the primary and secondary climate change variables relevant

to the project (e.g. temperature, extreme temperature, rainfall, extreme rainfall/flooding, storms,

wind, bushfire, humidity, solar radiation, sea level rise, and ocean acidification).

The climate change risk component of the assessment must define the risk assessment criteria

applied, and include the consequence and likelihood tables and risk matrix used to assess climate

risks. Risks must be assessed in consultation with multidisciplinary representatives from within the

project team and a selection of relevant external stakeholders.

Use of corporate enterprise risk management or project-specific risk assessment criteria should be

prioritised to enable climate change risks to be incorporated into the project’s broader risk

management processes.

The climate change risk and adaptation assessment must include a summary of the priority risks

for treatment (e.g. the risks rated high and extreme) and those climate risks rated high or above

must be captured as part of the project’s risk register.

As a minimum, at least two risk items identified in the risk assessment component of the

assessment are addressed by specific design responses. The assessment must develop

adaptation responses to treat all extreme rated risks. Adaptation responses should include a range

of physical (e.g. structural design changes) and non-physical (e.g. management/monitoring)

responses.

The assessment also needs to identify and document timeframes for undertaking regular reviews

and updates. As a minimum the assessment must be reviewed and updated whenever the climate

change science that informs the scenarios for assessment is updated.


The climate change risk and adaptation assessment must

align with the Australian Standard AS 5334:2013 Climate

change adaptation for settlements and infrastructure and

follow the principles of risk management outlined in the

Australian and New Zealand Standard AS/NZ ISO

31000:2009 Risk Management.

A suitably qualified professional must author the

climate change risk and adaption assessment. In the

context of this credit, this should comprise a professional

with a formal tertiary qualification in environmental science,

planning, or engineering; or with a minimum of five years’

experience in climate risk and adaptation assessments.

Ideally, the Climate change resilience credit should be

undertaken as early during the project’s design phase as

possible to allow maximum benefit and opportunity to inform

design decisions and implement appropriate and meaningful

adaptation responses.

Base Building vs Tenant Scope

By undertaking the climate change risk and adaptation

assessment during project design, opportunities to

incorporate adaptation responses in the base building can

be maximised, thereby improving the resilience of the

building for tenant use. Additional non-physical adaptation

responses, including emergency management plans and

information on how to cope during extreme climate events,

can be communicated to tenants and used to inform

relevant tenant agreements (e.g. agreements with tenants to

mandate use of blinds and shading to reduce thermal load,

reduce energy consumption and reuse water to reduce

reliance on mains supply). This, however, is not a

requirement of the credit.

There is an upgraded level of project

engagement requiring involvement from both

internal and external project stakeholders.

The credit now requires projects to document

timeframes for undertaking regular reviews and

updates.

In addition to addressing two risk items through

specific design responses, the project is now

required to address all extreme-rated risks. For

extreme risks, physical and non-physical risks

mitigation measures may be used.

Compared to the existing Green Star Design and

As-Built Adaptation and Resilience credit, this

new credit will provide updated guidance on

completing climate change risk and adaptation

assessments in line with current industry

standards and more detailed guidance on the

selection of appropriate climate change

scenarios to inform the risk assessment.

The increased stakeholder engagement / project

management requirements reflect best practice

in industry and ensure the climate change risks

are understood by a broad range of

stakeholders.

The requirement to document timeframes for

undertaking regular reviews and updates intends

to ensure that the outcome remains relevant into

the operations of the building. Resilience is no a

one-off activity, and this requirement assists a

process of continuous improvement.

The requirement to address key risk items is in

line with industry best practice and mitigates

climate change risks facing the asset. Requiring

responses to only two risks is limiting and does

not address climate change risks adequately.

While the credit criteria hasn't changed

considerably, additional guidance has been

developed to help projects maximise the benefits

associated with the climate change risk and

adaption assessment.

The building identifies and responds to the direct and indirect impacts of climate change.

56





Yes No



• Should there be a trigger point, at which a project is required to undertake

the comprehensive climate resilience assessment? What could the trigger point be?

• Do you agree that the purpose of the pre-screening process is to identify risks but

not necessarily address them? (Addressing risks falls under the Climate change

resilience Credit achievement.)

• Should the pre-screening checklist address any other important criteria?

• Do you support the proposal that all extreme-rated risks must be addressed, in

addition to two risks through design solutions? (This is a departure from current

rating tools where only two risks must be addressed)

• Do you agree with the increased level of stakeholder engagement?

• Do you agree with the selected timeframes and trajectory scenarios? If not, what

would you consider appropriate?


57







Outcome


Credit achievement Climate change resilience, Systems resilience (Resilience); Energy use, Water use (Positive); Community engagement (People)


GRESB; TCFD

√ √ √ √

Systems resilience

The project team must undertake a comprehensive review of the acute shocks and chronic

stresses likely to influence building operation and/or performance. The building’s design and future

operational plan must then address any high or extreme system-level interdependency risks.

To achieve the credit, the project must:

• Identify a set of clear resilience objectives and performance goals for the project and provide a

diverse range of actions;

• Collaborate with key internal and external project stakeholders to identify and confirm the

relevant acute shocks and chronic stresses likely to impact the functionality of the project and

its ability to meet performance goals;

• Identify and confirm a range of interdependent infrastructure systems, networks, services and

assets on which the project is likely to rely and interface with;

• Identify key areas of system vulnerability, specifically how these may be affected by the

identified shocks and stresses and as result may impact the project through reduced capacity

and/or functionality; and

• Outline emergency response procedures in the event of an identified shock event/natural

disaster impacting the project and the local community.

At a minimum the following shocks and stresses must be addressed:

The systems resilience assessment must be developed through workshop consultation with

relevant internal and external project stakeholders including community representation. This

assessment should ideally be completed during early design phases to provide sufficient

opportunity to meaningfully develop and implement responding actions.

Development of resilience actions to address priority shocks, stresses and interdependent systems

must include both physical and non-physical responses and prioritised based on self-assessment

(e.g. based on standard assessment criteria such as cost, ease of implementation, delivery of co-

benefits etc.)

The credit is applicable to all building sectors.

Note, if the Climate change resilience credit has not been

completed, climate-related shocks and stresses must form

part of the assessment of this credit, with appropriate

physical and non-physical responses identified. [Refer to the

Climate change resilience credit for examples of climate-

related shocks and stresses.]

Delivery of this credit must be led by a Suitably Qualified

Professional. In the context of this credit, this

should comprise a professional with a formal tertiary

qualification in environmental science, planning, or

engineering; or with a minimum five years’ experience in

climate risk and adaptation assessments.

Base building vs tenancy

For the Systems resilience credit, the relationship between

the base building and tenanted spaces may be affected

where a tenant is particularly impacted by a shock or stress

that is not otherwise identified or prioritised by the project, or

where a tenant is particularly reliant on interdependent

infrastructure and services.

The project should consider where such a scenario may

occur and identify potential risks to the core function of the

building, or the project’s ability to cater to the needs of the

tenant where extraordinary conditions exist. For example, if

a tenant requires constant uninterrupted power supply, the

project will need to consider if an appropriate response can

be formulated to meet this requirement, and how this will

affect the core function of the building.

This is a new credit.

While the completion of a climate risk and adaptation assessment for the project (refer Climate change

resilience credit) provides a strong baseline for resilience planning, it is important to broaden the

scope of assessment beyond climate-related shocks and stresses. This will better enable a project to

recognise and respond to other critical externalities. These may include but are not limited to acute

shocks or chronic stresses associated with infrastructure failure, water crisis, financial system failure,

lack of social cohesion, ageing infrastructure, lack of employment opportunities, chronic

illnesses/disease etc.

With a broader understanding of those project externalities likely to impact and shape the successful

delivery of a building, projects will be more aware of the potential challenges facing the asset and the

responses required to help manage these impacts and disruptions in order to build overall resilience.

Further, projects that consider system dependencies by identifying the criticality of interdependent

infrastructure are better placed to understand certain networks, systems, assets and/or services and

the role they have in supporting a project’s overarching functionality, this includes potential operational

risks that may arise should those systems be impacted or compromised.

Embracing an inclusive approach to resilience requires engaging with key internal and external

stakeholders, including the community to not only better inform the assessment of a project’s

resilience capacity, but also to build capacity at the broader scale (e.g. across the community, town or

city).

The project is able to respond to shocks and stresses that may impact either the building and its occupants, or interdependent infrastructure and services the project relies on to function.

Shocks

• Failure of critical infrastructure (power,

water and digital)

• Water security

• Extreme weather events and natural

catastrophes (as per Climate Resilience

credit)

• Geological hazards (landslides,

earthquakes, tsunamis)

• Direct attack (cyber and physical)

Stresses

• Ageing infrastructure

• Rising cyber dependency

• Increasing energy costs

• Lack of transport accessibility and

availability

• Changes to natural climate (as per

Climate resilience credit)

58





Yes No



• What are your thoughts on the scope of this credit?

• Do you agree with the list of shocks and stresses the credit requires projects to

address? Are there any others material to Australia?

• Should the credit list out recommended actions for different aspects? What should

these be?

Systems resilience

59







Outcome


Credit achievement Climate change resilience, Systems resilience (Resilient); Contribution to place (Place) People movement (Place); Community engagement (People)


GRESB, TCFD

√ √ √ √


The project must undertake a comprehensive review of key vulnerabilities within the community it

is located and take steps to build community resilience through external consultation. The

outcomes of this review must be presented through a Community Resilience Strategy or Plan.

The Plan must assess and outline how the building responds and contributes towards community

resilience. It must:

• Define its surrounding local community, and the groups which rely on or interact either directly

or indirectly with the building. In addition to considering tenants and visitors, this must identify

key vulnerable communities;

• Identify acute shocks and chronic stresses that impact the project’s function and ability to

service the community (including climate-related shocks and stresses if the Climate change

resilience credit is not undertaken);

• Identify resilience objectives and goals associated with servicing the community and

development of actions (physical and non-physical responses) to manage the impact from

shocks and stresses that will help maintain performance in line with those objectives and goals;

• Identify and explore how those material shocks and stresses identified for the building

may impact on these stakeholders by considering a clear set of social indicators (see guidance

section);

• Develop physical and non-physical responses to manage effects from shocks or stresses

impacting the project and its ability to service the community and address social indicators.

The project must consult with the community by undertaking at least one community capacity

building activity. This helps provide clear messaging around resilience and educate community

members on their role supporting and improving community resilience.

Where a project has undertaken the Systems resilience credit, the project should incorporate the

requirements of this credit into the reporting Systems resilience credit providing the relevant

assessment parameters have been addressed and included.


It should be ideally completed early during the design phase

of the project, however later development will not

necessarily preclude the ability for the project to contribute

towards broader community resilience planning.

The implementation of responses may form part of design,

or include further stakeholder engagement during

construction, or defer to the operation phase (e.g. through

development of emergency response plans). The level of

effectiveness of this credit will be influenced by the level of

engagement with the community. It would thus be advisable

that engagement would continue through all phases of the

project.

Community resilience frameworks

Various tools, frameworks and guidelines exist that either

aim to address community impacts beyond a project

footprint or are established at the community or city scale.

These tools document principles and processes for

addressing community level risks associated with disaster

and building capacity to respond. An example includes

the UN Office of Disaster Risk Reduction, 10 Essentials for

City Resilience.

Example social indicators

• Support and improve community wellbeing and social

cohesion.

• Improve community health and wellbeing to counter

increasing instances of chronic illness, lifestyle diseases

and the demand on health services and infrastructure.

• Minimise the impacts associated with rising energy

costs.

• Provide opportunities for local employment, skills

development, training and education.

• Support the provision of, and access to, public and

active transport modes.

• Reduce dependency on energy, power, digital and

transport networks and build redundancy in the event of

failure or disruption.


Community resilience is measured not only by understanding how the project itself is able to respond

and recover from disruption, but also how the project supports and contributes towards the broader

resilience of the community, precinct, town or city in which it is located. Broadening the project’s

resilience assessment to consider community-level impacts will provide a deeper understanding of

potential impacts to the building and how these impacts may be felt beyond the boundary of the

project itself.

Identifying and recognising these impacts and building capacity of the community through knowledge

sharing with a comprehensive range of external stakeholders (particularly those representing

vulnerable members of the community) will help communities to be better equipped to bounce back

and move forward following a shock event and return to optimal function and operation.

It is strongly recommended this credit is completed concurrently with the Systems resilience credit and

Climate change resilience credit. While several process requirements within this credit overlap with the

Systems resilience credit, a broader perspective is applied to support the capacity building and

resilience planning and response at a community-scale. Combining efforts to complete these credits

concurrently will result in a more efficient process and a more robust resilience assessment overall.

The building contributes to improving the resilience of the community.

60

https://www.unisdr.org/campaign/resilientcities/toolkit/article/the-ten-essentials-for-making-cities-resilient





Yes No



• Do you agree with including consideration of non-physical risks and response

measures?

• Do you agree that this credit should be applicable to all building types?

• Do you feel the current credit requirements will improve the resilience of the

community? If not, what else should be added?


61







Outcome


Credit achievement Energy Use, Energy Source (Positive) Climate change resilience

Goal 13 (Climate Action)

GRESB; TCFD

√ √ √ √

Grid optimisation

The building has been built to reduce and shift its peak load from the energy’s grid through a

combination of a flatter demand. The building must also consider the impact of any on-site energy

generation on the grid.

Peak demand reduction and shift

The project team must undertake a comprehensive review of the energy demand profile of the

building. The building’s design and future operational plan must address peaks in the energy

profile using energy efficiency and demand response strategies to flatten the demand curve, and

shift the building’s peak demand away from the when peak demand occurs in the electricity grid.

To achieve the credit, the project must:

• Demonstrate a flatter demand profile than the equivalent building that meets the National

Construction Code (NCC) 2019, reducing peak demand by a further 20%; and

• Demonstrate peak demand for the project does not occur during electricity grid peak demand.

Onsite energy generation

Where onsite energy generation is present, the project team must undertake a comprehensive

review of the likely energy generation profiles. The building’s design and future operational plan

must then address any significant amounts of energy exported during peak solar generation

periods.

To achieve the credit, the project must demonstrate that it exports no more than 20% of energy

generated to the electricity grid during peak solar generation periods.

In situations where the project is in a location that will allow for significant export to the grid, e.g.

industrial park with significant generation, and there is operator agreement, this requirement is not

applicable.

This credit is applicable to all building sectors. The onsite

energy generation requirement may not be applicable in all

situations.

The project team is required to reduce the building’s peak

demand below NCC 2019 levels, and move the peak away

from where the peak in the electricity grid occurs. Project

teams are encouraged to review demand response, load

shifting and onsite storage solutions to meet this credit.

The credit also aims to optimise energy generation onsite

with the demand profile either through demand response,

sizing of renewables or using onsite energy storage

solutions such as batteries. The purpose is not to

unnecessarily reduce renewable energy generation, but

encourage the availability of renewable energy outside of

peak generation times.

As the aim of this credit is for the building to work with the

wider grid, a building connected to a micro-grid can use the

flexibility and capacity of the micro-grid to optimise the

building’s impact on the wider grid.

The inclusion of micro-grids recognise precinct scale energy

masterplans where some buildings have significantly higher

renewable energy generation potential than it can use, such

as industrial buildings. This allows buildings to export locally

in a micro-grid that is designed to support the volume of

energy trading, without impacting the wider electricity

network.


For the Grid Optimisation credit, the relationship between

the base building and tenanted spaces may be affected

where tenant operations may have an impact on the base

building peak demand, both in terms of magnitude and

timing.

The project should consider where such a scenario may

occur and identify potential risks to where the energy

demand would exceed what has been modelled, or the peak

is shifted back towards the ‘traditional’ peak timing.

This credit is an evolution on the existing Peak

Electricity Demand credit. It builds on the

existing credit by looking beyond the boundaries

of the building to the building’s operational

context within the wider electricity grid.

The demand reduction criteria has been reduced

to 20% recognising that stringency increase in

the NCC 2019, and the link between energy

efficiency and peak reduction. This credit also

uses the same building that complies with the

NCC 2019 as the benchmark and reduce the

peak demand further in a similar way to how the

Energy Use (Positive) credit works.

This credit moves one step further on managing

peak demand by ensuring that the peak demand

for the building occurs outside ‘normal’ peak

demand.

The final change to the credit is to manage

renewable energy generated by buildings so

they do not contribute significantly to the ‘duck

curve’ that increasing solar generation is

creating.

The aim is for buildings to contribute to

distributing the peak demand in the grid rather

than exacerbate the grid peak issue. Minimising

the peak demand, and shifting it out of the grid

peak demand period, should reduce the need

and dependency on infrastructure that is only

required for very short periods throughout the

year. This should increase the reliability of the

grid as a whole.

Large volumes of solar energy generation is

beginning to impact on the wider electricity grid,

with some areas of the national electricity grid

showing the impact of the ‘duck curve’. This is a

result of having an excess of solar energy

available in the grid all at the same time. The aim

of this credit is to minimise the impact of building

exporting large amounts of energy into the

electricity grid during peak generation times,

providing more flexibility and capacity in the

network.

This credit does not aim to minimise renewable

generation, but for project teams to explore

energy storage solutions so that energy

generated onsite can be exported during times

when there is typically less renewable energy

available in the electricity grid, reducing the wider

grid’s dependency on fossil fuel powered

electricity, and increasing reliability.

The building minimizes stress on the electricity grid.

62





Yes No



• Should the credit include all loads, or just building loads?

• Is 20% an appropriate target for peak demand reduction?

• The credit requires that peak demand for the project does not occur during electricity

grid peak demand. Should there be more detailed requirement around this? Such as:

The peak energy demand should be shifted to at least 30 minutes either side of the

grids peak demand.

• Is the requirement for onsite generation a worthwhile inclusion in this credit?

• Is this requirement of 20% export appropriate?

• Does the criteria encourage the value of microgrids or other onsite solutions as a

mechanism to reduce impacts to the grid?

• What exceptional criteria should be developed for this credit?

Grid optimisation

63


64







Outcome

Minimum expectation


Energy source, Impacts from resources (Positive);

Goal 7 (Affordable and Clean Energy); Goal 13 (Climate Action)

GRESB; TCFD


The building is built to have emitted at least 10% lower upfront carbon emissions than a reference

building.

Additional requirement for world leading buildings (6 star): The building must meet the Credit

Achievement.

Additional expectations for buildings registering after 2026: All buildings seeking a Green Star

rating must meet the Credit achievement.

Pathways

Upfront carbon emission reductions for this credit can be achieved through the use of good design

and material selection. Carbon Neutral Certified products can be counted in this credit. With the

exception of the offset of demolition works, offsets cannot be used to achieve the reductions in the

criteria with the exception noted below.

The reference building is determined by the Upfront carbon emissions calculator.

For office, retail and industrial buildings, the GBCA Upfront carbon emissions calculator provides

fixed benchmarks for upfront carbon.

(A note to the reader, this calculator is in development and not available at the time of this release.

The fixed benchmark will consider building use and material options available for the credit and will

be provided in the Calculator. Carbon emissions will be reported as kgCO2e/m2 GFA and will

include materials and works as defined in EN 15978 modules A1-5, including module D).

For other building types, the A1-A5 carbon emissions, including module D, from the standard

practice building in the Impacts from resources credit shall be used at the reference case.

(A note to the reader, the final credit will include values for other building types. These values will

be noted as suggested reference case values. Where the project team has values that differ from

these, they will be required to note why in the submission).

Demolition works are included in this credit. Where an existing building less than 30 years old has

been fully or partly demolished prior to construction, an embodied carbon calculation must be done

and these emissions added to the actual building. Where the existing building is between 30 to 50

years old, the contribution must be calculated and discounted at 10% for every two additional

years past year 30. Embodied carbon from partial or full demolition can be offset.

There are two calculation options to demonstrate a reduction in upfront carbon emissions:

1. Life Cycle Assessment

If a project has completed an LCA in accordance with the Impacts from resources credit, results

from that assessment shall be used to demonstrate compliance with this credit.

Projects shall report on the global warming potential impact of modules A1-A5. This result shall be

entered into the GBCA Upfront Carbon Emissions Calculator. The calculator will then compare

against the reference case.

2. Simple carbon calculation

To calculate the reduction in carbon emissions, the project shall complete the GBCA Upfront

carbon emissions calculator to calculate the embodied carbon of the building.


Carbon Neutral Products

Products that are claimed to be carbon neutral must be

certified carbon neutral under the National Carbon Offset

Standard, or other equivalent international standard to be

considered a zero emissions in the calculation.

Offsets

Residual upfront carbon emissions past the Credit

achievement, and carbon emissions from demolition works,

may be offset through verified offset schemes. Offsets must

be from reforestation and afforestation activities, or

domestic renewable energy generation. Stapled biodiversity

and carbon offsets are preferred.


Projects should document a reduction in upfront carbon

according to the project scope.

In tenanted buildings, upfront carbon emissions from tenant

fitouts are considered in the credit Tenant emissions.

For buildings where the majority of the building is not being

tenanted, fitout items should be included in the reporting

and calculations.

Upfront carbon emissions calculator

The calculator provides a simplified methodology for

calculating the emissions of a building. It calculates the

upfront emissions from:

• Concrete (total)

• Steel, structural and reinforcement

• Structural timber and frames

• Internal and external glass and glazing, includingframing

• Façade materials and cladding

• Masonry (brickwork and blockwork) and stone includinggrout

• Pipes and conduits, including plastic and metal

• Internal wall and ceiling lining including plasterboard,fibre-cement, timber cladding

• Roofing including tiles and sheet metal

• Floor coverings for example, carpets, ceramic tile andfloor panels


Globally, buildings are currently responsible for 39% of global carbon emissions. In Australia, this

number sits at 23%.

The built environment sector thus has a crucial role to play in responding to the climate emergency

and meeting Australia's Paris Agreement obligations.

Operational carbon is only one piece of the puzzle. Carbon emissions are released not only

during operational life but also during the manufacturing, transportation, construction and end of life

phases of all built assets. These emissions, commonly referred to as embodied carbon, have largely

been overlooked historically but contribute around 11% of all global carbon emissions.

Operational carbon is being addressed, with large quantities of renewables entering the grid. As a

result, upfront or embodied carbon's proportion will grow, and is estimated to be responsible for half of

the entire carbon footprint of new construction between now and 2050. This is threatening to consume

a large part of our remaining carbon budget.

Therefore, to successfully drive down carbon emissions, we urgently need to address upfront, or

embodied, carbon.

"As operational carbon is reduced, embodied carbon will continue to grow in importance as a

proportion of total emissions. While we must continue to focus on addressing operational carbon we

must now rapidly increase efforts to tackle embodied carbon emissions at a global scale, too" - World

GBC

It is for this reason that the Upfront carbon emissions credit has been introduced into the rating tool

and included in the list of minimum requirements.

The building’s upfront carbon emission contributions from materials and products have been reduced and offset.

65







Outcome


Credit achievement Energy source, Impacts from resources (Positive);


GRESB; TCFD



building.

Refer to Minimum expectation for applicability & guidance. Refer to Minimum expectation for rationale.


66







Outcome


Exceptional performance Energy source, Impacts from resources (Positive);


GRESB; TCFD



building or the building’s remaining upfront carbon emissions have been offset.

Refer to Minimum expectation for applicability & guidance. Refer to Minimum expectation for rationale.


67





Yes No



• Do you agree with the Minimum expectation for 6 star rated buildings? What about

the additional expectation?

• Do you support the thresholds for the Minimum expectation, Credit achievement

and Exceptional performance?

• Are the two pathways to demonstrate compliance reasonable? Are there others?

• Do you agree that offsets should be focused on afforestation, deforestation, and

domestic renewable energy?

• Do you support the inclusion of module D?

• What are your thoughts on the use of offsets in the credit?

• Should we also allow for the offsetting within the project or organisational

boundary? Is so, which should these be, and how could these be verified

appropriately?

• Do you agree with the requirement for demolition works to be included in the

calculation?


68







Outcome

Minimum expectation


Energy source, Impacts from resources (Positive); Climate change resilience, Systems resilience (Resilient)


GRESB; TCFD

√ √ √ √

Energy use

The building is built to have at least a 10% lower energy use than one built to the National

Construction Code 2019, or the one applicable to the building’s construction, whichever is later.

Additional expectation for world leading buildings (6 star): The building must meet the Credit

achievement. Industrial facilities are excluded from this expectation.

Additional expectations for buildings registering after 2023: Buildings seeking a 5 star rating must

meet the Credit achievement. Industrial facilities are excluded from this expectation.

Additional expectations for buildings finishing construction after 2030: Buildings seeking any Green

Star rating must meet the Credit achievement. Industrial facilities are excluded from this

expectation.

Pathways

Modelling must include all energy consumed within building systems. Tenant plug loads, domestic

appliances, and manufacturing or process loads are excluded from the calculation. The model

must show improvements in each building system and the total building’s energy consumption.

That is:

• a minimum 10% improvement on AC value in the NCC wall-glazing calculator;

• a minimum 10% reduction on energy consumption of fan systems (J5.4), pump systems (J5.7),

refrigerant chillers (J5.10) and heat rejection equipment (J5.12);

• a minimum 10% reduction on energy consumption on lighting efficiency W/m2; and

• a minimum 10% reduction on total building systems energy use.

On-site renewable energy generation systems or battery storage systems, connected behind the

meter, cannot be used to calculate reductions in energy use of the building for the Minimum

expectation. They can be used to calculate reductions for the Credit achievement.

The following are acceptable pathways for demonstrating compliance:

Additional pathways will be developed over time.


If claiming the Climate change resilience credit, modelling

must also be done to show the expected energy use

impacts of climate change in the 2050 scenario, assuming

currently installed systems. If the expected energy

consumption difference between both models is more than

10% the Minimum expectation cannot be achieved.


For buildings with lettable tenanted spaces, Green Star for

New Buildings expects the building owner/developer to

deliver solutions within the lettable area of a building that

meets the Green Star credit criteria, not the tenant.

Awarding credits for a base building cannot depend wholly

on a tenant to be responsible for delivering outcomes.

This extends to Cold Shell areas. Cold Shell areas are

becoming increasingly common in the Australian market.

The benefits of Cold Shell delivery include avoided waste,

cost and time. The rating tool expects that for Cold Shell

areas, the base building [services] will enable the tenant to

build high quality spaces, meaning the delivery of outcomes

is still expected.

As such, for tenanted spaces, modelling of energy use can

be based on the provision of base building systems to the

tenancy and an assumption that minimum NCC

requirements will be met.

Alternatively, if specified in leasing requirements, Tenancy

Fitout Guides or similar, modelling can be based on

minimum requirements based on these documents.

This guidance would need to identify (including but not

limited to) the tenant's allowable internal loads (tenant

lighting and equipment power allowances), HVAC system

zoning requirements (internal and perimeter zones with

independent temperature control), HVAC system type &

design capacities, and outdoor air rates.

For standalone tenant systems, projects may model based

on minimum requirements outlined in leasing agreement

documentation as above.

Green Star – Design & As Built (all versions) include the Greenhouse Gas Emissions credit. This credit aims to ensure that overall modelled greenhouse gas emissions from energy consumption are reduced to zero.

As the market has developed, and thanks to an increase in the use of off-site renewables, the issue of energy consumption can be seen as distinct as that of energy source. Therefore, the Greenhouse Gas Emissions credit aim, that of driving emissions down to zero, has been split between the credits Energy use and Energy source.

The Energy use credit aims to tackle the issue of a building’s energy consumption.

The benchmarks in this credit start at the same level as the current Greenhouse Gas Emissions credit in Green Star – Design & As Built, though the credit’s focus is on energy consumption rather than emissions. The modelling has been amended though, requiring that all building systems are improved, not played off against each other. The goal of this change is to improve all systems and the building fabric. This does mean that it is more difficult to achieve the initial minimum expectation benchmark.

Four pathways are recognised by this credit, two of those exist in the current credit. A third, the residential pathway is supplemented by adding new requirements around swimming pool, lift, and common area performance. The guidance for these will be developed prior to the release of the rating tool, though it should be similar to where the current guidance found in the Energy use and greenhouse gas emissions calculator for Green Star – Design & As Built.

A new addition to the credit is the link to the Climate change resilience credit. Where that Credit achievement is claimed, an additional requirement appears in this credit ensuring the energy modelling appropriately accounts for future changes in weather. The credit requires that a model be done ensuring the design can address future climactic conditions, and that the energy use consumption in the future does not rise over 10%. This is expected to have the effect of focusing on ensuring the building considers passive solutions over purely mechanical ones.

The IPCC report highlights two critical aspects

that the built environment must pursue to be on a

1.5°C trajectory: Reducing our energy

consumption and switching to renewable energy.

The IPCC report is clear that both need to occur.

This is due to the need to continue decarbonising

the grid and recognising that if current energy

demands continue, achieving this goal will be

difficult.

This means the focus has to be on ensuring both

conditions are met, and not trade one off the

other in the manner that is potentially possible in

the current rating tool.

There are other reasons to focus on energy use

as a metric by itself. Energy use is the cost to the

occupant, and reducing this has a net benefit to

making sustainable buildings more attractive.

Reducing energy consumption also means lower

infrastructure needs, particularly when coupled

with a stronger building fabric, and with other

options that will help stabilise the grid (the goal of

the Grid optimisation credit in the Resilient

category, to be developed).

The changes to the credit were also noted in our

Carbon Positive Roadmap. More information on

why this change is important can be found there.

The building has low energy consumption.

PathwayMinimum expectation

target

Credit achievement

target

Exceptional

performance target

National Construction Code modelling

pathway

10% reduction

(MJ/m2/annum)

20% reduction

(MJ/m2/annum)

30% reduction

(MJ/m2/annum)

NABERS Energy rating commitment

agreement5.5 Stars

5.5 Stars with 25%

buffer6 Stars

NatHERS rating (minimum for each

unit) + plus additional requirements

(swimming pools, lifts, common areas)

7 Stars 7.5 Stars -

PassiveHouse certified certified certified

69

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Outcome


Credit achievement Energy source, Impacts from resources (Positive); Climate change resilience, Systems resilience (Resilient)


GRESB; TCFD

√ √ √ √

Energy use

The building is built to have at least a 20% lower energy use than one built to the 2019 National

Construction Code.

Pathways


appliances, and manufacturing or process loads are excluded from the calculation. Only total

energy use is required to be shown compliant, provided the minimum expectation was met.


meter, can be used to calculate the energy use reduction past the minimum expectation

benchmark.









10% the Credit achievement cannot be met.














is still expected.

















The Credit achievement follows the same

framework as the Minimum expectation, though

the benchmark is higher.

Once the building is shown to meet the Minimum

expectation, a Credit achievement can be

claimed where the buildings total modelled

energy consumption is 20% lower than that of

the building built to the NCC.

On-site renewable energy can be used to claim

the credit achievement. This recognises that

enough work was done to make the building

energy efficient, and that on-site renewable

energy is a good mechanism to continue to

reduce energy from the grid.

As with the Minimum expectation, four pathways

are recognised by this credit, two of those exist

in the current credit. A third, the residential

pathway is supplemented by adding new

requirements around swimming pool, lift, and

common area performance. The guidance for

these will be developed prior to the release of

the rating tool, though it should be similar to

where the current guidance found in the Energy

use and greenhouse gas emissions calculator

for Green Star – Design & As Built.

A new addition to the credit is the link to the

Climate change resilience credit. Where that

Credit achievement is claimed, an additional

requirement appears in this credit ensuring the

energy modelling appropriately accounts for

future changes in weather. The credit requires

that a model be done ensuring the design can

address future climactic conditions, and that the

energy use consumption in the future does not

rise over 10%. This is expected to have the

effect of focusing on ensuring the building

considers passive solutions over purely

mechanical ones.









difficult.

















target

Credit achievement

target

Exceptional

performance target


pathway

10% reduction

(MJ/m2/annum)

20% reduction

(MJ/m2/annum)

30% reduction

(MJ/m2/annum)


agreement5.5 Stars

5.5 Stars with 25%

buffer6 Stars




7 Stars 7.5 Stars -


70







Outcome


Exceptional performance Energy source, Impacts from resources (Positive); Climate change resilience, Systems resilience (Resilient)


GRESB; TCFD

√ √ √ √

Energy use

The building is built to have at least a 30% lower energy use than one built to the 2019 National

Construction Code.

Pathways


appliances, and manufacturing or process loads are excluded from the calculation. Only total

energy use is required to be shown compliant, provided the minimum expectation was met.


meter, can be used to calculate the energy use reduction past the minimum expectation

benchmark.

Buildings fully powered by on-site renewables can claim this Exceptional performance, provided

the Minimum expectation has been met.









10% the Credit achievement cannot be met.














is still expected.

















The Exceptional performance follows the same

framework as the Minimum expectation, though

the benchmark is significantly higher.

Once the building is shown to meet the minimum

expectation, the Exceptional performance can

be claimed where the buildings total modelled

energy consumption is 30% lower than that of

the building built to the NCC.

On-site renewable energy can be used to claim

the Credit achievement. This recognises that

enough work was done to make the building

energy efficient, and that on-site renewable

energy is a good mechanism to continue to

reduce energy from the grid.

As with the Minimum expectation, four pathways

are recognised by this credit, two of those exist

in the current credit. A third, the residential

pathway is supplemented by adding new

requirements around swimming pool, lift, and

common area performance. The guidance for

these will be developed prior to the release of

the rating tool, though it should be similar to

where the current guidance found in the Energy

use and greenhouse gas emissions calculator

for Green Star – Design & As Built.

A new addition to the credit is the link to the

Climate change resilience credit. Where that

Credit achievement is claimed, an additional

requirement appears in this credit ensuring the

energy modelling appropriately accounts for

future changes in weather. The credit requires

that a model be done ensuring the design can

address future climactic conditions, and that the

energy use consumption in the future does not

rise over 10%. This is expected to have the

effect of focusing on ensuring the building

considers passive solutions over purely

mechanical ones.









difficult.

















target

Credit achievement

target

Exceptional

performance target


pathway

10% reduction

(MJ/m2/annum)

20% reduction

(MJ/m2/annum)

30% reduction

(MJ/m2/annum)


agreement5.5 Stars

5.5 Stars with 25%

buffer6 Stars




7 Stars 7.5 Stars -


71





Yes No



• Do you agree with the Minimum expectation target of 10% better than code?

• Do you agree with the other Minimum expectations for 6 star rated buildings, 5 star

rated buildings, and buildings finished after 2030?

• What are your thoughts on the proposed requirement of a 10% improvement at a

system level and the building?

• Do you agree with the Credit achievement target of 20%? Do you agree that it

should be limited to total energy use?

• Is the Credit achievement applicable and relevant to all building sectors?

• Do you agree with the Exceptional performance target of 30%?

• Are the pathways broadly equivalent to each other, and appropriate for the minimum

expectation?

• What should an exceptional pathway be for residential buildings.

• Will the introduction of the climate change resilience modelling requirement improve

building design? Will it make a difference?

Energy use

72







Outcome

Minimum expectation


Energy use, Impacts from resources (Positive); Climate change resilience, Systems resilience (Resilient)


GRESB; TCFD

√ √ √ √

Energy source

• National Excellence buildings (5 star): The building designs a transition plan to move awayfrom fossil fuels.

• World Leading buildings (6 star): The building meets the Credit achievement andExceptional performance.

• Additional requirements for projects registered after 2023: All buildings seeking a Green Starrating must meet the Minimum expectation.

Transition plan

To enable a move towards net zero carbon outcomes, the applicant must provide a transition plan.

The transition plan delineates steps to deliver a net zero carbon in operations outcome from 2030

onwards.

The transition plan is part of the design phase of the project. The plan describes the changes the

building is required to undertake to be net zero carbon in operation as the distinct parts of the

building’s systems reach end of life. It must identify spatial considerations and physical

interventions needed to replace equipment and infrastructure.

The plan must cover all energy consumption, procurement, and generation. The transition plan

cannot rely on procuring renewables as its only solution. It must also include infrastructure

provided for tenants or future occupants such as gas installations for cooking.

The transition plan should include a target date by when the building is expected to operate as net

zero carbon. It should also outline:

• A description of energy consuming electrical, mechanical, or hydraulic systems;

• Commentary on proposed changes to the building’s systems;

• A description of any future spatial requirements or changes to plant rooms stemming fromchanges to existing building systems. Drawings should be included demonstrating the spatialavailability;

• Description of any additional capacity built into the building, or building systems, to enable anyproposed changes. This may include the capacity to accommodate any future additional loads,energy storage or demand response solutions which may occur or be implemented during thelife of the building; and

• An upgrade or replacement timeline for the distinct systems, or system components, describingthe point at which they are to be replaced with the appropriate alternatives.

The transition plan must be integrated into the design and operation of the building.

The outcomes of the transition plan should be integrated with other Green Star credits targeted

during certification. For example, any performance targets or activities relating the transition plan

should be outlined in the Verification and handover credit.

The plan must be signed off by the building owner or the building developer.

Fully electric buildings

Fully electric buildings that do not use electricity generated from fossil fuels through cogeneration

or trigeneration automatically comply with this Minimum expectation.


An example of how to develop a transition plan can be

found at the Rocky Mountain Institute’s Zero Over Time

project.

Recognising that there are still limitations for emergency

power, a small amount of energy consumption can come

from fossil fuel use. This may be diesel for emergency

generators, which could also be used in peak lopping

situations.

The total modelled energy consumption from fossil fuels

(MJ/m2/annum) cannot be more than 1% of the building’s

total modelled energy use. In this case, the building

applicant must buy and retire Renewable Energy

Certificates equal to 10 years of the fossil fuel emissions.

Only domestic Renewable Energy Certificates are

acceptable. Refer to the Renewables and offsets guide in

Green Star for more information.

Green Star – Design & As Built introduced a

point for a transition plan.

This point is aimed to begin moving industry to

drive out the use of fossil fuels from common

uses in the building.

There is no change from that guidance.

Fully electric buildings have less transition

issues than those that have other sources of

energy, hence their recognition as a viable

pathway.

The IPCC report highlighted the need to stop

introducing new fossil fuel enabling

infrastructure. In new buildings, this means the

use of fossil fuels for cooking, heating, and

cooling.

However, there are issues which prevent this

from happening, from grid capacity, to industry

knowledge. This means that most buildings are

not able to transition away from gas today.

As such, this minimum expectation enables

buildings to be designed to accommodate future

needs. For example, shifting to a fully electric

solution may mean that additional space is

required in the plant room, or the introduction of

more air through louvers that don’t exists.

The building’s energy sources are decarbonised.

73

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Outcome


Credit achievement Energy use, Impacts from resources (Positive); Climate change resilience, Systems resilience (Resilient)


GRESB; TCFD

√ √ √ √

Energy source

The building’s electricity must come from renewables. On-site or off-site renewables are

acceptable.

The credit includes all building services under the control of the building owner or operator.

Tenancy electricity use is not included in this criteria. The ‘Tenant emissions’ credit addresses this

issue.

Where the credit is achieved mostly or fully through on-site renewables, the grid can be used for

storage purposes year round, provided there is capacity in the system to do so. Effort should also

be made to match generation and consumption year round, with special consideration to match

seasonal consumption and generation. Where on-site renewables do not cover all of the building’s

consumption, a renewable electricity contract is required for the rest.

Where the credit is achieved through off-site renewables, the smallest length of contract to claim

offsite electricity is 5 years. The contract can be part of a corporate power purchasing agreement

for a building portfolio. Alternative solutions, such as procuring and surrendering Large Generation

Certificates are also acceptable.

Where offsite renewables are used, the Green Star certificate will note that the building’s rating is

valid provided the procurement of renewable electricity (or energy) continues. Should the building

not continue to be powered by renewables, the building’s rating can no longer be communicated.



power, a small amount of electricity consumption can come

from fossil fuel use. This may take place of using diesel for

emergency generators which could also be used in peak

lopping situations.

The total modelled electricity consumption from fossil fuels

(MJ/m2/annum) cannot be more than 1% of the building’s

total modelled energy use. In this case, the building

applicant must buy and retire Renewable Energy

Certificates equal to 10 years of the fossil fuel emissions.

Only domestic Renewable Energy Certificates are

acceptable.

Refer to the Renewables and offsets guide in Green Star for

more information.

Green Star – Design & As Built (all versions)

include the ‘Greenhouse Gas Emissions’ credit.

This credit aims to ensure that overall modelled

greenhouse gas emissions from energy

consumption are reduced to zero.

As the market has developed, and thanks to an

increase in the use of off-site renewables, the

issue of energy consumption can be seen as

distinct as that of energy source. Therefore, the

Greenhouse Gas Emissions credit aim, that of

driving emissions down to zero, has been split

between the credits Energy use and Energy

source.

The ‘Energy source’ credit aims to tackle the

issue of a building’s source of energy. The

Credit achievement tackles electricity, with the

Exceptional performance addressing all energy

sources.

This credit achievement aims to incentivise

having all electricity come from renewables. This

can be done through on-site or off-site

renewable electricity.

There are some small differences from the

Green Star – Design & As Built credit.

The length of the contract has been shortened to

5 years. This accounts for the increase in use of

shorter power purchasing agreements. However,

to avoid misleading claims, the Green Star rating

will be communicated as being valid provided

the building continues to procure renewable

electricity.









difficult.





The Energy source credit responds to the need

to decarbonise the grid. It aims to use the

procurement power of the built environment to

continue driving changes to the grid over time.

This credit has a clear link to the Systems

resilience credit, and the Grid optimisation credit

(to be developed). The Energy source credit will

encourage renewable procurement, while the

Grid optimisation credit will encourage matching

demand with the grid, and the use of storage

solutions to stabilise it.


74








Outcome


Exceptional performance Energy use, Impacts from resources (Positive); Climate change resilience, Systems resilience (Resilient)


GRESB; TCFD

√ √ √ √

Energy source

All energy consumed by the building comes from renewables.

Energy is defined as all electricity consumed, as well as any fuels burned on-site, or off-site, for

power, heating, cooling and cooking.

On-site or off-site renewable energy is acceptable. Heating or cooling generated from fossil fuels

are not considered renewable energy. See ‘Renewables and offsets guide in Green Star for

more information and definitions.

An electric building powered by off-site or on-site renewable electricity complies. An electric

building is one that does not install any gas infrastructure within it. This includes infrastructure

provided to tenants or building occupants. The building can have emergency generators powered

by diesel.

Where the credit is achieved through off-site renewables, the smallest length of contract to claim

offsite electricity is 5 years. The contract can be part of a corporate power purchasing agreement

for a building portfolio. Alternative solutions, such as procuring and surrendering Large Generation

Certificates are also acceptable.

If infrastructure that can use fossil fuels exists, and this infrastructure is required for the operation

of typical building systems, the applicant must show how it will not use fossil fuels.

A small amount of fossil fuels are allowed for cooking (in retail situations only) or for emergency

purposes. The total modelled energy consumption from fossil fuels (MJ/m2/annum) cannot be

more than 1% of the building’s total modelled energy use. In this case, the building applicant must

buy and retire Renewable Energy Certificates equal to 10 years of the fossil fuel emissions. Only

domestic Renewable Energy Certificates are acceptable.

Refer to the Renewables and offsets guide in Green Star for more information.


Fossil fuels for specialty situations in laboratories, hospitals,

or industrial facilities can be excluded from this Exceptional

performance.


power, a small amount of energy consumption can come

from fossil fuel use. This may take place of using diesel for

emergency generators which could also be used in peak

loping situations.

Green Star – Design & As Built (all versions)

include the Greenhouse Gas Emissions credit.

This credit aims to ensure that overall modelled

greenhouse gas emissions from energy

consumption are reduced to zero.

As the market has developed, and thanks to an

increase in the use of off-site renewables, the

issue of energy consumption can be seen as

distinct as that of energy source. Therefore, the

Greenhouse Gas Emissions credit aim, that of

driving emissions down to zero, has been split

between the credits Energy use and Energy

source.

The Energy source credit aims to tackle the

issue of a building’s source of energy. The

Credit achievement tackles electricity, with the

Exceptional performance addressing all energy

sources.

This Exceptional performance aims to incentivise

having all energy come from renewables.

There are some small differences from the

Green Star – Design & As Built credit.

The length of the contract has been shortened to

5 years. This accounts for the increase in use of

shorter power purchasing agreements. However,

to avoid misleading claims, the Green Star rating

will be communicated as being valid provided

the building continues to procure renewable

electricity.









difficult.





The Energy source credit responds to the need

to decarbonise the grid. It aims to use the

procurement power of the built environment to

continue driving changes to the grid over time.

This credit has a clear link to the Systems

resilience credit, and the Grid optimisation credit

(to be developed). The energy source will

encourage renewable procurement, while the

Grid optimisation credit will encourage matching

demand with the grid, and the use of storage

solutions to stabilise it.


75






Yes No



• Do you agree with the Minimum expectation of the transition plan for 5 star rated

buildings? Should it also apply to 4 star ratings? Do you agree that this should

extend to all Green Star rated buildings from 2023 onwards?

• Do you agree with the Minimum expectation for 6 star rated buildings?

• Is the detail for the transition plan appropriate?

• Do you agree with the change to the contract length?

• What are your thoughts on the introduction of a note on the Green Star certificate

when offsite renewables are used?

• Should there be a requirement to make sure generation and consumption be

matched as far as practicable when setting up renewable energy contracts? If the

answer is yes, What should that benchmark be?

• For onsite solutions, can the grid be used as storage for excess generation and

claimed year round or should there be limits to ensure generation matches

consumption as far as practicable? Should this be done on a seasonal basis? Should

there be a benchmark for matching generation and consumption?

• Do you agree with the 1% allowance for fossil fuels for emergency situations?

Energy source

76







Outcome

Minimum expectation


Energy source, Impacts from resources, Upfront carbon emissions (Positive)


GRESB; TCFD

√ √ √ √


World Leading buildings (6 star): The building meets the Credit achievement.

Additional expectations for buildings registering after 2026: All buildings seeking a Green Star

rating must meet the Credit achievement.

This credit is applicable to all building sectors. Not applicable Not applicable

The building’s other carbon emissions, such as those from refrigerants, are eliminated or offset.

77







Outcome


Credit achievement Energy source, Impacts from resources, Upfront carbon emissions (Positive)


GRESB; TCFD

√ √ √ √


The building owner eliminates or offsets emissions from refrigerants.

For refrigerants, the emissions are assumed to be the refrigerant charge multiplied by its

Global Warming Potential. The emissions must be offset at 100%. This includes refrigerants from

any split systems. It does not include refrigerants from tenant installed systems.

The purchased offsets must be from afforestation and reforestation activities, or domestic

renewable energy generation. Stapled biodiversity and carbon offsets are preferred. They must

also be certified as gold standard offsets.

Where no refrigerants are present, this Credit achievement is met.


The credit is applicable to all refrigerants in the building from

building systems or domestic appliances provided by the

building.

In a residential setting, where fridges or freezers are

provided as part of a fitout package, the emissions from the

refrigerants in those systems must also be offset.

Specialty medical equipment or manufacturing equipment is

excluded from this credit.

While similar to the refrigerant impacts credit in

intent, which is to encourage the installation of

better refrigerants to lower emissions, it changes

the approach to how it aims to address the

problem.

The current Green Star – Design & As Built

credit rewards the use of low-GWP refrigerants.

This approach incentivised new technologies

and was used by a number of projects to trial

solutions which are slowly becoming

mainstream.

This credit takes a different approach. Rather

than a prescriptive approach to selecting

refrigerants, it focuses on the issue, addressing

the emissions from refrigerants. In effect, it

places a price on using high-GWP refrigerants

and encourages using lower GWP refrigerants.

Once the emissions from energy and materials

are taken into account, the emissions from

refrigerants become an issue of concern.

While the industry is currently transitioning to

refrigerants with a lower global warming

potential, there are still a large number of

refrigerants with a high global warming potential.

This credit aims to encourage taking

responsibility for refrigerant emissions and

transition them out as quickly as possible.

The credit also allows the use of offsets. The

types of offsets that can be used has been

limited to a subset. These offsets, afforestation,

reforestation, and renewable energy generation

activities have been selected as they enable

either zero source energy, or act as carbon

sinks. As the IPCC report encouraged the use of

carbon sinks, limiting offsets to this activity is the

only sensible path to a 1.5°C trajectory.


78







Outcome


Exceptional performance Energy source, Impacts from resources, Upfront carbon emissions (Positive)


GRESB; TCFD

√ √ √ √ √ √


The building owner eliminates or offsets additional emissions not captured in the rest of the

Positive category.

Emissions to be considered include emissions from construction equipment on site,

remaining embodied emissions, and other emissions considered material to the project not

captured in other credits. The project team must include the above and any other material

emissions , that is emissions over 1% of the total emissions profile for the building.

As an alternative path, the building owner can make an additional offset purchase equal to 5 years

of modelled operational energy use (multiplied by the grid coefficient) to cover additional emissions

not captured by any calculation. These are not offsets for future operational use, rather they

address emissions related to the above.


renewable energy generation. Stapled biodiversity and carbon offsets are preferred. They must

also be certified as gold standard offsets.

The building owner eliminates or offsets additional

emissions not captured in the rest of the Positive category.

Emissions to be considered include emissions from

construction equipment on site, remaining embodied

emissions, and other emissions considered material to the

project not captured in other credits. The project team must

include the above and any other material emissions , that is

emissions over 1% of the total emissions profile for the

building.

As an alternative path, the building owner can make an

additional offset purchase equal to 5 years of modelled

operational energy use (multiplied by the grid coefficient) to

cover additional emissions not captured by any calculation.

These are not offsets for future operational use, rather they

address emissions related to the above.

The purchased offsets must be from afforestation and

reforestation activities, or domestic renewable energy

generation. Stapled biodiversity and carbon offsets are

preferred. They must also be certified as gold standard

offsets.

While the credits in the Positive category aim to tackle the major emissions sources in the building,

there will likely be others that have not been quantified at this time.

When considering the boundary established by the Climate Active Carbon Neutral Standard for

Buildings, the Positive category doesn’t directly calculate and address emissions from water

consumption, transport, or waste. Instead of considering independent credits for each item, the

decision was made to introduce a single credit.

This was made based on the assumption that remaining emissions from the construction of the

building would be approximately 10% of the total emissions from a typical building. This figure is

assumed and may vary from project to project.


79





Yes No



• Do you agree with the Minimum expectation for 6 star rated buildings? What about

the additional expectation?

• Do you agree with the approach to refrigerant emissions?

• What are your thoughts about the requirements on offsets?

• Do you agree with the inclusions and exclusions?

• Do you agree with the approaches for addressing additional emissions as outlined

in the Exceptional performance?


80







Outcome


Credit achievement Energy source, Impacts from resources (Positive); Climate change resilience, Systems resilience (Resilient)


GRESB; TCFD

√ √ √

Tenant emissions

The building owner requires and actively assists the tenants to offset their energy and refrigerant

through the procurement of renewables, or through the ongoing purchase of offsets.

Pathway

Energy consumption is limited to tenant plug loads, tenant installed equipment and general

appliance use. Manufacturing or process loads are excluded.

For refrigerants, the emissions are assumed to be the refrigerant charge multiplied by its Global

Warming Potential. The emissions must be offset at 100%.


renewable energy generation. Stapled biodiversity and carbon offsets are preferred.

Tenant obligations can be introduced through lease agreements or a portal that enables the future

tenant to procure the relevant obligations. Where a tenanted space has not been leased, the

building owner can procure offsets for an equivalent modelled consumption of three years.

Signing up ‘Carbon Neutral Certified’ tenants is compliant with this requirement.

Upfront carbon emissions are defined as those calculated for the Global Warming Impact Category

in line with EN15978 in modules A1 to A5, including module D. Reductions must be calculated in

kg CO2eq. Where the credit ‘Impacts from Resources’ is being claimed, the information from those

modules can be used to calculate this credit

This credit is only applicable to industrial, commercial,

residential, and retail buildings, or buildings where a

significant portion of the space is leased.

In residential buildings, the emissions in this credit should

be considered occupant emissions. That is this credit

applies to influencing unit occupants, regardless of whether

they own or lease the unit.

One of the largest sources of emissions in the built environment is tenant emissions. These emissions

are considered Scope 3 emissions, that is ancillary emissions, and are usually beyond the control of

the building owner.

However, the building owner does have the capacity to influence a tenant’s decisions.

This credit aims to encourage influencing tenants and occupants to procure renewable energy or

offset their emissions.

This credit assumes the building owner will be proactively attempting to influence the tenant. While it

doesn’t have a requirement for tenants to sign up, it does require the building owner to provide

mechanisms that will strongly encourage tenants to do so.

The building’s tenants eliminate their fitout related carbon emissions.

81







Outcome


Exceptional performance Energy source, Impacts from resources (Positive); Climate change resilience, Systems resilience (Resilient)


GRESB; TCFD

√ √ √ √ √

Tenant emissions

The building owner requires the tenant to offset their fitout’s upfront carbon emissions.

Pathway

Upfront carbon emissions are defined as those calculated for the Global Warming Impact Category

in line with EN15978 in modules A1 to A5, including module D. Reductions must be calculated in

kg CO2eq. Where the credit ‘Impacts from Resources’ is being claimed, the information from those

modules can be used to calculate this credit.

This credit is only applicable to industrial, commercial,

residential, and retail buildings, or buildings where a

significant portion of the space is leased.

In residential buildings, the emissions in this credit should

be considered occupant emissions. That is this credit

applies to influencing unit occupants, regardless of whether

they own or lease the unit.

Another source of emissions that is not commonly addressed is the emissions from tenancy or

occupant fitouts.

While outside a building owners’ control, there is a strong opportunity to influence the design,

construction of the fitout. There is also a strong opportunity to influence eliminating the emissions from

the use of products and materials in the fitout.

This credit aims to encourage influencing tenants and occupants to eliminate the emissions from their

fitout.

Unlike the Credit achievement, the Exceptional performance requires tenants to have offset all their

emissions. The reason for this is that the emissions can be addressed at a single point in time, rather

than in an operational setting where there is always the opportunity to shift power to renewables.

The building’s tenants eliminate their fitout related carbon emissions.

82





Yes No



• What are your thoughts about the way the credit is structured?

• Do you believe building owners should be required to have tenants signed up to

eliminating operational emissions to get the Credit achievement? Should this be for

all tenants or a proportion? If so, what proportion?

• Do you believe building owners should be required to have tenants signed up to

eliminating upfront carbon emissions to get the Exceptional performance? Should

this be for all tenants or a proportion? If so, what proportion?

• Are there any other pathways that should be introduced?

Tenant emissions

83






Stage implementation Strategy Concept Design Dev. Tender Construction Handover Use

Outcome

Minimum expectation


Fixture type WELS rating

Taps 5 star

Urinals 5 star

Toilets 4 star

Showers 3 star

Clothes Washing Machines 4 star

Dishwashers 5 star

Systems resilience (Resilient)

Goal 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities); Goal 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production); Goal 6 (Clean Water and Sanitation)

√ √ √ √

Water use

As a minimum requirement, all buildings must either install water efficient fixtures and appliances,

or demonstrate a reduction in potable water consumption when compared to a standard practice

building.

Pathways

Either one of the two options can be used to demonstrate compliance

Sanitary fixture efficiency

All fixtures must meet the WELS ratings below:

Reduction over reference building

The proposed project must demonstrate a 20% reduction in potable water usage when compared

to a reference building, as per current Green Star – Design & As Built Potable Water Guide and

associated calculator.

Multi-unit residential (class 2) projects must demonstrate a 15% reduction in potable water usage

when compared to a reference building.

This credit is applicable to all building types.

Sanitary fixture efficiency

Where the project does not contain one or more of these

fixtures or equipment items, then the WELS rating for that

item does not need to be achieved.

Reduction over reference building

This pathway addresses the potable water consumption

from the use of sanitary fixtures, appliances, HVAC,

irrigation systems, and swimming pools (where present).

WELS ratings

A clarification has been made. In current Green

Star – Deign & As Built, the Submission

Guidelines state "where all fixtures are within

one star of the WELS rating".

Changes from Consultation Paper

Originally, only sanitary fixture efficiency was

proposed as the minimum. The reduction over a

reference building has now been added as an

alternative.

WELS rating

This clarification has been made to reduce

confusion and varied interpretation of the

requirements.

Changes from Consultation Paper

Consultation with working groups indicated that a

comparable threshold should be set as a

performance approach. We must avoid the

situation where a project needs to collect WELS

ratings and then decides to also target the

reduction over standard practice building for the

credit achievement. This requires additional

and unnecessary work when compiling the

submission.

The building has low water consumption.

84

Brief

https://www.gbca.org.au/uploads/233/35817/Potable Water Calculator Guide_03122015.pdf?_ga=2.261027402.657800039.1575345366-1639619272.1528260998







Outcome


Credit achievement Systems resilience (Resilient)


DJSI

√ √ √ √

Water use

The proposed project must demonstrate a 60% reduction in potable water usage when compared





See guidance for minimum expectation. Removal of prescriptive pathway

For the credit achievement, only a performance

approach can be used.

Removal of prescriptive pathway

A performance pathway places the onus on the

project team to devise solutions that will results

in a water efficient building. This encourages

smart and innovative designs, which Green Star

seeks to inspire.


85








Outcome


Exceptional performance Systems resilience (Resilient)


DJSI

√ √ √ √

Water use

The proposed project must demonstrate an 80% reduction in potable water usage when compared





See guidance for Minimum expectation. Threshold, as opposed to scaled points

In Green Star – Design & As Built, points are

awarded based on 5% increments, up to 100%

reductions over a reference building. In Green

Star for New Buildings, thresholds have been

set.

Threshold, as opposed to scaled points

Setting thresholds for potable water usage is

consistent with other credits in Green Star for

New Building's (I.e. Energy Demand & People

Movement).

The GBCA wants to drive projects to make

meaningful jumps in performance. Setting

thresholds for the Credit Achievement (60%) and

Exceptional Performance (80%) sets the bar high

and allows project teams to develop their own

solutions to achieving real water efficiency

outcomes

This elevates the focus to ensure all buildings

that wish to target the credit achieve significant

reductions in potable water usage when

compared to a standard practice building.


86






Yes No



• Do you feel that 20% reduction over a standard practice building is a reasonable

threshold for the minimum requirement? If not, why?

• Should the WELS ratings stipulated be lower or higher, and why?

• Do you have general feedback on the current Green Star – Design & As Built

potable water methodology (performance pathway) that could be useful when

developing this credit further?

• Is the requirement of 15% reduction in potable water usage for residential buildings

appropriate?

• Do you have general feedback on the current Green Star – Design & As Built

potable water methodology (performance pathway) that could be useful when

developing this credit further?

• Is the requirement of 15% reduction in potable water usage for residential buildings

appropriate to set as a Minimum expectation?

• Do you support to move towards a performance pathway?

Water use

87







Outcome


Credit achievement Upfront carbon emissions, Energy use, Water use (Positive); Responsible structure, Responsible envelope, Responsible systems (Responsible)

Goal 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production); Goal 13 (Climate Action)

None

√ √ √ √ √ √

Impacts from resources

A whole-of-building, whole-of-life (cradle to grave) comparative life cycle assessment (LCA) must

be conducted for the project. The project must demonstrate reductions in impacts when compared

with standard practice to claim reward credit. For the purpose of this credit, standard practice can

be defined as a:

• Fixed benchmark, if available for the building type (office, retail and industrial); or

• Reference building.

All modules (A to D) must be included in the assessment. The LCA shall report on the impact

categories specified in this credit (see later in this credit), and the results entered into the GBCA

LCA Calculator. The calculator will apply normalisation and weightings to the results and calculate

the number of points to be awarded.

The LCA calculations and report shall comply with the credit’s quality assurance

requirements. Two options are available, depending on the qualification of the LCA report author,

as listed below:

Option A

• The report produced by an LCA Certified Practitioner; and

• Subject to organisational quality assurance, which has been developed in accordance with

ISO9001.

Option B

• The report produced by an Experienced Individual; and

• Peer reviewed by an LCA Certified Practitioner or independent Experienced Individual.


Quality assurance definitions

• LCA Certified Practitioner: A person who is qualified

as an “LCA Certified Practitioner” by ALCAS, LCANZ

or ACLA, or another similar scheme.

• Experienced Individual: An individual who has

produced; co-produced and/or independently reviewed

at least five LCA studies of buildings or building products

in the past three years.

• Peer Review: A peer review is performed by

an independent practitioner as stated in ISO

14044 Clauses 6.1 and 6.2. The review provides

assurance of the credibility of the LCA and its results.

The peer review aims to provide a third-party opinion on

how the LCA was conducted and whether the results are

acceptable to demonstrate credit compliance. The peer-

reviewer shall complete the GBCA Peer Review

Checklist as part of the review.

• Independent Experienced Individual: Defined as an

Experienced Individual who is:

• not employed in a full-time or part-time role by the

commissioner of the LCA study;

• not the practitioner of the LCA study;

• not involved in defining the scope or conducting

the LCA study; and

• has no direct or indirect incentive or interest linked

to the outcome of the LCA results.

Fixed benchmarks vs reference building

The current credit proposes fixed benchmarks

for commercial, retail and industrial buildings,

with comparison to a reference building for all

other building types.

Impact category weightings

Impact categories are weighted differently to

Green Star – Design & As Built, with ‘Climate

Change’ and 'Net Use of Fresh Water' being the

highest (25% each) while the others are 8.3%.

Peer review process

New requirements around the peer review

process with two options, based on the

experience and qualifications of the original

author.

Grid decarbonisation

The relative impact of module B6 has been

reduced due to the decarbonisation of the grid.

Please see later in this credit for more details

Removal of 'Additional Reporting Criteria'

There is no longer reward for projects to report

additional criteria.

Fixed benchmarks vs reference building

The GBCA has access to many LCA reports.

Analysing this data and structuring it based on

building types will allow for a benchmark. A fixed

benchmark, as opposed to a reference building,

would result in a more accurate LCA. No fixed

benchmark has been provided as part of the

draft credits as the data mining process has not

yet commenced.

Impact category weightings

In Green Star - Design & As Built, all impact

categories are weighted evenly. In Australian

, 'Climate Change' and ’Net use of Fresh Water'

should be weighted higher than the others based

on the act that these issue are of material and

critical importance in the Australian context.

Peer review process

The new credits proposes that a

highly experienced and qualified professional

should not be required to go through the

same quality assurance process as a less

experienced and qualified professional. Thus, the

two options have been proposed.


Please see later in this credit for more details.

Removal of 'Additional Reporting Criteria'

The GBCA does not consider additional reporting

worthy of further points in the rating tool. The

LCA industry has matured since this criteria was

introduced to Green Star – Design & As Built.

The building has lower environmental impacts from key resources over its lifespan than a typical building.

88







Outcome


Credit achievement Upfront carbon emissions, Energy use, Water use (Positive); Responsible structure, Responsible envelope, Responsible systems (Responsible)

Goal 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production); Goal 13 (Climate Action)

None

√ √ √ √ √ √


Methodology

• Scope: Whole-of-Building as defined in EN 15978. Refer to section 7.5 ‘The Building Model’.

• System Boundary: Cradle to grave, including all life cycle modules (modules A to D) and scenarios as detailed in EN 15978.

• Functional Unit: Impacts are assessed and reported on a per square metre (m2) project Gross Floor Area (GFA) basis. In addition, project teams may report on other functional units as desired.

• Service Life of Permanent Building Elements: The service life required by the client or through regulations. If no required service life is defined, a default service life of 60 years is to be applied.

• Service life of replaceable building and construction elements: Use actual product/material design life, or refer to table 9: Indicative component lifespan of RICS (2017)

LCA Data

The selection of data shall be based on EN 15978. Data quality shall be reported and peer-reviewed. Use of locally-based data, preferably EN15804 compliant EPDs, shall take precedence over generic or

global data, where available unless it is for imported products.

When conducting the LCA for the project, the following Green Star based inputs shall be used:

• Reference Building operational energy benchmarks as used in the Greenhouse Gas Emissions Calculator for the project for year one energy use;

• Reference Building Water usage as used in the Potable Water credit; and

• Product-specific and industry-wide Environmental Product Declarations (EPDs) submitted in response to the Responsible products credits.


If the building has a design life of 60 years or more, future energy projections assuming decarbonisation of the power supply may be calculated using current emissions factors and dividing by four.

If the design life of the building is shorter, future energy projections may be calculated in accordance with RICS (2017) Section 3.4.2 Future energy projections – Decarbonisation of the energy supply must

be adopted in both the reference and actual LCA models.

Fixed benchmark

Using historical data, the GBCA will calculate standard practice baseline data for office, retail and industrial buildings. The GBCA LCA Calculator will provide the reference impact/m2 for the impact

categories included in the LCA methodology defined by this credit. As available data increases, fixed benchmarks for other building types can be developed.

Standard Practice Reference Building

This pathway shall be adopted for all building types other than office, retail and industrial.

Non-standard projects from the office, retail and industrial sectors may request the use of the reference building pathway. The project must demonstrate why the fixed benchmark is not applicable. The

standard practice reference building shall be agreed through consultation with structural, mechanical, electrical and architectural professionals.

The Reference Building shall be representative of standard practice for a building of the same characteristics of the project.


The building has lower environmental impacts from key resources over its lifespan than a typical building.

Applicability & Guidance

89


Credit achievement

https://www.rics.org/globalassets/rics-website/media/news/whole-life-carbon-assessment-for-the--built-environment-november-2017.pdf



Impact Category UnitCharacterisation

Methods or

Inventory

Normalisation

Factor

Weighting

Factor

Climate change

kg CO2

equivalents

(GWP100)

All methods 4.62E+13 25.0%

Net use of fresh water m3

Based on life

cycle inventory

data

1.22E+12 25.0%

Stratospheric ozone depletion potentialkg CFC 11

equivalentsAll methods 3.28+E08 8.3%

Acidification potential of land and waterkg SO2

equivalentsCML 2.73E+03 8.3%

Eutrophication potentialkg PO43-


Photochemical ozone creation potentialkg C2H2


Mineral depletion (Abiotic Depletion

Potential)

kg Sb


Fossil fuel depletion* (Abiotic Depletion

Potential)

MJ net

calorific valueCML TBC 8.3%

The operational energy module B6 is

included in the scoring of the

credit. In the current version of the

LCA credit In Green Star – Design &

As Built, B6 is capped in the scoring

calculation due to (a) double counting

with the GHG Emissions Credit and

(b) the dominance in the overall LCA

results and influence on the credit

score.

In Green Star for New Buildings, it is

proposed that the new credit allows

for decarbonisation of the power grid,

in alignment with many state

government targets (carbon neutral

by 2050)

This means that in practice, the result

of the B6 module will be reduced to

25% of the value in the existing credit

(25% is an estimate based on the

electricity emission factor reducing to

zero in the first 30 years of the 60

year life cycle). Reintroducing

module B6 in the credit will allow

design decisions to be made, but the

decarbonisation of the grid will

reduce the relative importance of this

module in a realistic manner.

Operational Energy (B6)

Impact category tables and Operational Energy guidance

90





Yes No



• Do you agree that module B6 (operational energy) should be included in the

assessment and scoring? If not, why?

• Do you support the introduction of benchmark buildings for office, retail

and industrial? And further building types when the data becomes available?

• Is the approach for module B6 as described appropriate? If not, why?

• Do you support the proposed impact category weightings? If not, why?

• How should the scoring mechanism work? Should it be the current approach, or do

you propose a new approach? How could this work?


91


92







Outcome


Credit achievement Access to amenities, Contribution to place (Places)

Goal 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities); Goal 3 (Good Health and Wellbeing)

Healthy by design (Heart Foundation)

√ √ √

People movement

The building’s design must prioritise modes of transport that encourage walking, riding, or the use

of mass transport solutions over all other solutions.

The building must meet all criteria.

People prioritisation

The buildings’ access must prioritise walking and cycling options. That is, they should put people

first.

This means the building’s access must be well lit, shaded, and separated from vehicular use. The

building must also include access to cyclist facilities that are separated from the typical vehicular

entrance to ensure safety. The cyclist facilities must also have signposted access to the relevant

internal changing rooms amenities. The cyclist facilities must ensure the cycling equipment is

secure. The amount of cyclist facilities is to be determined by the Sustainable Transport Plan.

In a residential building, the access points should connect to the relevant storage facilities. It

these are at a unit level, it must be shown how the access won’t be blocked by strata at a later

date.

If the building includes roads through the site. The design should prioritise pedestrians over

vehicles. Roads should be designed to be low speed (rather than signposted). Pedestrians should

have the right of way, and road design should encourage this.

Sustainable Transport Plan

The project must prepare and implement a Sustainable Transport Plan. The requirements or

recommendations made in the Sustainable Transport Plan must then be reflected in the design of

the building’s facilities and ongoing operational processes.

As a minimum, the Sustainable Transport Plan must include the following:

• A definition of the typical mode share of the development location and development type;

• A target mode share for the development that prioritises active and mass transport modes, and

recommendations on how to achieve them;

• Outline how other modes of transport (carpooling, electric vehicles, and drop-off points) will be

encouraged over private vehicle use;

• Identification of future projects which may change or influence mode share (such as planned,

or under construction infrastructure) and the year of completion for the new infrastructure; and

• Roles and responsibilities for implementing, monitoring, and auditing the Sustainable Transport

Plan in the building's operational phase.

Demonstrate an improvement over a reference building.

Using the inputs from the Sustainable Transport Plan to complete the GBCA's Sustainable

Transport Calculator, the building must show reductions over a reference building, to the following

extent:

• Emission reduction (35% - 45%)

• Active mode encouragement (100%)

• VKT reduction (>20%)

• Walkable location (Walk Score of >70)


A good Sustainable Transport Plan can influence the

transport mode chosen by occupants, tenants and visitors.

For the purposes of this credit, the Sustainable Transport

Plan must be developed for implementation at the site and

building level and be applicable to the Green Star project

boundary.

The Australian Bureau of Statistics tracks transport modes

in all major post codes.

The Sustainable Transport Plan must be prepared by a

Suitably Qualified Transport Planner in accordance with

best practice approaches. The suitably qualified transport

planner shall hold a relevant tertiary qualification (including,

but not limited to, architecture, engineering, sustainability

and planning) and comply with at least one of the following:

• Minimum 5 years' experience in transport planning;

• Has authored at least 5 building Sustainable Transport

Plan / Green Travel Plans or similar; and

• Chartered member of a relevant industry body

Improvement over reference case

The threshold proposed is equivalent to 6 points in the

Sustainable Transport calculator in Green Star – Design &

As Built.

Changing the focus to people

The Sustainable Transport Plan in Green Star –

Design & As Built focuses on reducing transport

emissions. This credit aims to shift that focus on

ensuring people use active and mass transport

facilities in a safe manner. As such, the credit is

more concerned about putting people first, rather

than on the types of vehicles that are used.

Introduction of a Sustainable Transport Plan

Green Star – Design & As Built requires a Green

Travel Plan. This credit proposes a Sustainable

Transport Plan, which is a more comprehensive

document detailing transport options and design

interventions.

Thresholds over reference building

The current Green Star – Design & As Built

credit rewards projects for incremental

improvement over a reference building. The new

People movement credit introduces a threshold.

Suitably qualified professional

In Green Star – Design & As Built, the suitably

qualified professional needs to only have

completed one transport plan for a project of a

similar scale. The credit expands the stringency

of the suitably qualified transport planner,

increasing this to 5 projects and introducing the

requirement to be a chartered member of a

relevant industry body.

Prescriptive criteria

At this time, the proposal is to focus on

comprehensive methods of transport reductions.

Feedback is sought on this issue.

There is a growing body of evidence that

prioritising people yields significant health and

emissions benefits.

The provision of secure access to work for

pedestrians and riders has been shown to

positively impact worker behaviours to walk or

cycle to work.

Acknowledging a people-oriented approach

means that decisions over time will result in an

accessible and integrated movement network.

This prioritisation will also result in more

enjoyable places for the community to participate

in.

The building’s design and location encourages occupants and visitors to use active, low carbon, and mass transport options instead of private vehicles.

93





Yes No



• Do you support the shift to people movement?

• What are your thoughts about the safe access provisions?

• Should a sustainable transport plan be required to achieve this credit? If so, are the

requirements for whom should develop it appropriate?

• Are the benchmarks for achieving improvements over the reference building

reflecting best practice?

• Should there be prescriptive criteria for this credit? Should it apply to all building

types and sizes? If so, what should it be?

People movement

94







Outcome


Credit achievement Contribution to place (Places); Operational waste (Responsible)

Goal 9 (Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure); Goal 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities)

None

√ √ √ √ √

Goods movement

The building must ensure appropriately sized infrastructure that demonstrably accommodates the

delivery and servicing needs of the building. The project must demonstrate that there will be no

reliance on on-street parking.

The building must achieve both criteria.

Service Delivery Profile

The project must generate a Service Delivery Profile (SDP) for the building. This is used to

calculate capacity size for loading docks and identify opportunities to reduce peak. It must include

the following:

• Vehicle timing: The arrival time, the total dwell time and the departure time;

• Vehicle frequency: A count of activity will obviously give a frequency of activity. It should be

considered that constraints on a dock size can generate more deliveries by smaller trucks than

a smaller number by a larger vehicle;

• Vehicle type: Understand the profile of the vehicles in use for different types of deliveries. This

should include vehicle length and height; and

• Vehicle purpose: Outline why a certain vehicle would arrive at the building.

The SDP must also provide approaches and identify opportunities to improve delivery needs of the

building, such as:

• Remode: Use efficient modes for distribution in the CBD where feasible;

• Reroute: Avoid the CBD for through traffic where feasible. Be aware of alternatives that can

improve efficiency;

• Reduce: Consolidate, improve utilisation, reduce trip numbers, sustainable procurement,

building delivery service plans; and

• Retime: Shifting freight and servicing activities to outside peak times gives opportunities

for greater efficiency

Loading docks

Using the SDP as input, the size and capacity of the loading docks for goods movement should

accommodate 100% of deliveries and goods movement on a typical working day during peak

times. The size of the loading dock must be exclusive of other uses such as bicycle spaces. The

entrance for delivery and collection vehicles must be separate from the cyclist entrance.

The design provides additional capacity for future growth in demand, and potential

operational/mode changes.

The project must detail how the loading docks are adequately sized to meet the service and

delivery needs of the building.

This credit is applicable to all building sectors. It is of

particular relevance to those located in CBD's.

In assessment of docks it is important to appreciate the

following profiles that will assist in explaining the servicing

profile of it:

• Building Usage type (Commercial, Retail, Residential,

Hotel, mixed use profiles etc.);

• Building size – the space use (Gross Floor Area) by type

of use;

• Number of tenancies in a building (the same floor space

for multiple tenants will generate more demand than if it

is one tenant); and

• The profile of the building. For example a 3 star hotel

without a restaurant will generate less freight than a 5

star hotel with multiple restaurants


Growing urbanization and the rise of e-commerce are causing congestion challenges for cities.

Increased congestions results when projects do not provide the necessary infrastructure to handle

these delivery demands. Delivery vehicles instead use street parking, which causes negative

externalists on the wider urban fabric.

Certain building then risk developing a reputation for poor handling, and delivery vehicles continue

using on-street parking. This exacerbates the problem.

The credit aims to get projects to avoid this situation by understanding their service and delivery

needs, finding creative ways to reduce them, and then providing necessary infrastructure to handle it

all on site. The design of the building plays a large role in how effective a building is at handling

deliveries.

Other outcomes the credit will deliver include:

• Detrimental impacts on streets are minimised, including traffic, heavy vehicle movements, waste

management, footpath obstructions, materials storage and visual clutter;

• Back of house and service areas of buildings are positioned and configured to minimise visual

impacts on streetscapes;

• Servicing and loading functions occur inside the building, rather than in the public environment;

• Loading and servicing operations are more efficient and manageable;

• The building can accommodate future operational requirements and changing usage patterns;

• The environment around the building is more attractive, safe, vibrant, amenable, which supports

activation and visitation; and

• Building occupants, and neighbours, are happier and safer.

Impacts from the services and delivery needs of the building are minimised.

95





Yes No



• Are the requirements appropriate to address the credit outcome?

• Are there other issues to be considered?

• Should this credit be applicable to all building types and sizes?

• Should this credit be applicable in all localities? Or just dense urban areas?

Goods movement

96







Outcome


Credit achievement Contribution to place, Access to amenity, Activated places, Goods Movement (Places)

Goal 3 (Good Health and Wellbeing); Goal 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities)

None

√ √ √ √ √ √

Enjoyable places

To achieve the credit, the project must provide new publicly-accessible spaces that are enjoyable

and supports community activity and interaction.

The building must comply with two criteria.

Provision of communal spaces

Communal space must be provided to the following extent:

• For all building types except residential (see below) above 1,000 sqm floor area, provide1.5

sqm communal open space per occupant or 5% of site land area, whichever is larger;

• For residential and mixed-use with residential, 2.5 sqm communal open space or public space

per dwelling (minimum 250 sqm).

The communal space must:

• Accommodate appropriate/nominated community-based activities (as defined in the Activated

places credit, if targeted);

• Have capacity and flexibility to operate in multiple modes of usage; and

• Demonstrate relevance of the space for local people (demographics, social profile, current

needs)

The communal space must be provided as part of the project and free to use. Existing communal

space prior to the project cannot be considered, as the purpose of this credit is to create new

communal spaces.

Design for enjoyment

Evidence that the place is enjoyable by those that use it can be shown through the Design Plans

and Landscape Plans and Design Report (or equivalent), which describe and demonstrate:

• Application of Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design (CPTED) principles, and

design initiatives to support safety;

• Design for people and usage, demonstrating spatial flexibility/adaptability, potential

uses/activities in spaces and modes of operation, and day and night uses;

• Placemaking / Place activation approaches;

• Accommodating retail/commercial activity (cafés etc.) and more open public usage;

• Providing a range of experiences: prospect and refuge, openness and enclosure;

• Providing comfort and amenity: seating, shading and shelter from the elements

• Demonstrate material quality and durability.

This credit is applicable to all building sectors with additional

guidance for industrial and residential.

For industrial buildings, due to specialist operations public

safety may be a concern (e.g. heavy machinery, hazardous

materials). If an industrial project is targeting the credit, it

must be demonstrated how public safety from

operations specifically is being addressed.

For multi-unit residential projects, public space may not be

desired by residents. Some developments may provide

communal/shared spaces, but not fully public spaces. This

is considered acceptable.

Base building vs. tenancy

The base building provides the foundations of Enjoyable

places. Tenancies can affect the experience and enjoyment

of places, such as by:

• The nature of frontages to new places;

• Occupation or habitation of places for commercial

purposes; and

• Activation outcomes (contributing to activity).

Tenant engagement is thus encouraged to fully achieve the

desired outcome. However, there are no requirements for

tenants for the purposes of this credit.


Considering we spend the majority of our day inside a building, we must ensure they are enjoyable

and safe places. A Green Star buildings should be a place where an occupant or visitors feels

welcome and enjoys their stay. Many credits in Green Star for New Buildings address amenity and

comfort of occupants. This credit, however, focuses on amenity for both occupants and visitors.

Public space in the built environment is an important part of society. Compared to other countries,

Australia has a remarkable degree of social cohesion given its diversity, and the built environment

continues to play a role in this.

Communal spaces are locations where community comes alive, where bonds are strengthened and

where a sense of belonging is fostered. This is what the Enjoyable paces credit is seeking to deliver.

Other benefits by introducing the credit into the rating tool include:

• New spaces are created, for community use and enjoyment;

• New spaces may host/accommodate new community activities and events, and informal meetings;

• The building is received more positively because of its tangible contribution; and

• The building has a vehicle for ongoing engagement with the community, and for inviting the

community into the building (where applicable).

The building provides places that are enjoyable and inclusive.

97





Yes No



• Do you agree with the communal space requirements? If not, what should they be?

• Do you agree with the proposals for designing for enjoyment?

• Should CPTED be referenced, or are there other equivalent frameworks?

• There is additional requirements and guidance for industrial and residential. Should

there be for any other building types and if so, what?

Enjoyable places

98







Outcome


Credit achievement Enjoyable places (Places); Community engagement; Culture, identity and heritage (People)

Goal 3 (Good Health & Wellbeing); Goal 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities)

None

√ √ √ √ √

Activated places

To be eligible to target this credit, the building must meet the Enjoyable places Credit achievement

The project must provide a placemaking or activation strategy to ensure placemaking continues

after practical completion.

The strategy must demonstrate how the future occupants and the wider community can contribute

to the place activation, addressing the following:

• The target of the activation activities;

• How the activation will be funded and managed for the first 12 months of occupation, and be

sustained beyond those months;

• Estimated timing of activation;

• Potential suppliers, facilitators or initiators of placemaking activation;

• How the building occupants and the wider community will be encouraged to initiate activations

e.g. communication channels and support network;

• Demonstrate how the strategy can be further implemented by the future tenant and occupants;

and

• Assign roles and responsibilities for implementation of the strategy, including evaluation and

monitoring.

To ensure implementation of this strategy, it must be included as part of the project's handover.

This credit is not applicable to industrial buildings. It applies

to all other building sectors.

Application is recommended as early as possible, ideally

before Development Application (DA) so that the strategy

can meaningfully integrate into the building design rather

than being an afterthought.

At this stage, the building can only be designed to

accommodate activities by the future tenant, occupants and

community – as activation can only occur with people

involved.

The placemaking/activation strategy implementation will

largely be led and directed by them, hence some flexibility

should be included in the strategy.


People will not have trust and confidence in placemaking until they see results. The Activated places

credit ensures the desired outcomes of placemaking are realised.

The provision of public space for community activities (Enjoyable places) sets the building up to build

social cohesion amongst the community. This credit delivers a thoughtful approach to activate those

spaces and reach its full potential. When implemented, the credit will:

• Ensure sustainability of the envisioned place brand;

• Continue to enable current and potential occupants to engage with the place;

• Support maximised utilisation of spaces; and

• Create visual interest and increase foot traffic and economic activities

The building owner delivers memorable, beautiful, vibrant places where people want to gather and participate in the community.

99





Yes No



• Is it reasonable to make Enjoyable places a precondition for this credit?

• Is the guidance sufficient to address the credit outcome?

• Should there be requirements for amount of budget, or time, that should be funded?

• Should the credit require budget or time to be funded?

• Would the credit be not applicable to a particular sector? Why?

Activated places

100







Outcome


Credit achievement Enjoyable places, Activated places (Places); Culture, heritage and identity, Community engagement (People); Climate change resilience (Resilience)

Goal 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities); Goal 3 (Good Health and Wellbeing)

None

√ √ √ √ √


The building’s design fits and contributes to the liveability of the wider urban context. The building’s

design must also contribute to enhancing the public realm.

There are two criteria that must be met:

Provision of Urban Context Analysis (or equivalent) and necessary design responses

The project must provide an Urban Context Report , which contains information on the following:

• Urban context analysis

• Rigorous assessment and analysis of the local setting and wider urban context, spanning

physical, social and economic factors

• Explanation of any preferred future character for the location, in areas undergoing change

• Diagnosis of local challenges which the building can contribute to addressing

• Implications for the design of the building

• Design responses

• Explanation and demonstration of how the design responds to the contextual drivers and

provides a tangible contribution to the local area

• Specific design responses to mitigate issues to the surrounds from urban heat island, wind

generation, and shading, daylight and solar access.

Public realm interface design

The building's frontages must enhance the quality of the public environment. Evidence of this must

be provided which describes:

• How ground floor frontages maximise visual and physical permeability to all frontages;

• How the façade is articulated through materials, colour, and details to break long sections to

make it attractive to walking;

• How the sidewalks around the building encourage safe, inclusive, and attractive walking and

cycling activities, as well as provide shading for pedestrians and other activities, particularly

through the use of trees;

• How upper level facades and frontages support visual interaction and passive surveillance, as

well as visual interest through the use of various lighting solutions;

• How entrances are designed to be welcoming and to contribute to the public realm; and

• How the building’s design contributes to the culture and heritage of the place.

The extent of ground floor active frontages vary based on building types:

• Commercial and mixed-use with Residential: 75%

• Educational/Institutional: 50%

• Industrial: 25%


Different building types require different levels of visual

permeability. Frontages and entrances should be designed

accordingly, however frontages which contribute to

or activate the public realm are always applicable, to all

building types (but with varying extents and design detail

approaches). While for industrial buildings the context may

be less defined and of lower value, contributing positively is

still important. Thus the credits is still applicable to all

building types.

Urban Context Analysis

There are many planning policy documents, design

guidelines and other reference documents which provide

guidance for responding to context and building frontage.

These tend to be at the local government or regional/state

government level, so differ from place to place. However,

the overarching principles are generally consistent.

Examples include:

• Better Placed – Integrated Design Policy for the Built

Environment of NSW

• Evaluating Good Design (NSW) provides 9 Criteria for

‘Better Fit’ (page 5)

• Central Melbourne Design Guide provides quantified

requirements for extent of active frontage and ground-

level floor space

• Urban Design Guidelines for Victoria include a Buildings

chapter with guidance for interfaces

Public realm interface

The base building provides the foundations of the

Contribution to place credit, such as in the configuration of

spaces and facades/frontages.

Tenancies can then ‘make or break’ these outcomes, by

potentially changing the façade/frontage as part of tenancy

works or obstructing the visually permeable frontages with

signage.

Although not a requirement of the credit, it is suggested that

engagement with tenants occurs informing them of the

benefits the credits delivers.

All buildings have a responsibility to be a 'good neighbour' and add value to its surrounding content.

This credit seeks to ensure the building will add value to its surrounding whilst also minimising

impacts, such as contributing to the urban heat island, and generating wind and shade.

Research finds that active frontage significantly affect people’s perceptions of a public space in terms

of its safety, comfort, sociability and liveliness. Good quality active frontages can contribute to creating

successful public spaces, which can help deliver far reaching benefits for the built environment.

Other benefits the credit will deliver include:

• The building is contextually responsive and a good ‘fit’ in the location;

• The building can be considered a 'good neighbour', thereby leading to a better reputation;

• The locality is more attractive and more valued by the public;

• The building is positively received by the public; and

• The building is more welcoming and accessible and invites visitation.

The building’s design makes a positive contribution to the quality of the public environment.

101





Yes No



• Do you agree with the three impacts to be mitigated, namely: urban heat island,

winder generation and shade? Are there other that should be added to the list?

• Should visual permeability be applicable to all building types? Are the extents

proposed reasonable? If not, what should they be?

• Are there any other relevant principles that this credit should encourage?


102







Outcome

Minimum expectation


Enjoyable places, People movement (Places)


Healthy by Design (Heart Foundation)

√ √

Access to amenity

Showers and changing facilities are provided to a proportion of the building’s regular occupants.

The specific proportion that must be met for regular occupants is outlined below. The number of

regular occupants is to be based on the project’s design occupancy.

The building must comply with both criteria.

Changing facilities

The building’s changing facilities must be located in a safe and protected space. The facilities must

be designed to be inclusive. In particular, the facilities must:

• Provide safe access, protected from elements, separated from vehicles, and have

consideration of gradients, surface grip levels and visibility around tight corners;

• Have safe lighting of all areas from entry to the facility access, and between bike parking, all

amenities and lift lobbies or main access point to building lobby;

• Provide proximity, lockers, showers and building entry (eg lifts) are located in a central cluster

for ease of occupant use;

• Include features such as ironing boards, iron, hanging racks, power points, mirrors, facial

lighting and any other facilities to encourage uptake; and

• Have clear signage to the facilities.

Showers

All showers are to be a minimum of 1.8m x 1.1m to enhance usability. Showers and bathrooms

provided to meet statutory accessibility requirements are not included the calculation of end of trip

facilities for Green Star projects.

Lockers

1 secure locker must be provided for every 8 regular building occupants in the changing rooms. All

lockers are to be secure.

Lockers provided within the tenancies, not in changing rooms, do not count toward this credit.

This minimum expectation is not applicable to residential

buildings, as bathrooms are typically located in the

dwellings.

General Guidance

In all instances where project design occupancy values are

available prior to issuing of Tender documentation, these

take precedent. When these are not available, the project is

to use the design occupancy estimation for their DA

application.

Facilities can be provided within the building’s boundary, or

outside. If the facilities are outside the site boundary, they

must be under the control of the building owner and be

accessible to all building occupants (depending on the users

being served by those facilities).

The design of the shower facilities must be appropriate to

encourage their use. Therefore, the project team is

expected to justify how their location, locker sizes, privacy

requirements, and size are conducive to this aim.

The bicycle rack component has been moved to

the People movement credit and is not a

minimum expectation.

Showers

The requirement on the number of showers has

lowered.

All showers now have to be a minimum size of

1.8m x 1.1m.

Lockers

Lockers have increased from approximately 1

per 11 regular occupants to 1 per 8 regular

occupants. (Previously requirement was 1.2

lockers per bicycle rack, this has increased to

1.6 if using this conversion method).

Showers

Minimum size requirements have been proposed

for showers.

Changing facilities

Additional features are now a requirement,

including ironing boards and iron, hanging racks

etc.

Originally, bicycle facilities were proposed as a

minimum requirement. Following feedback

received to the Consultation paper, it has been

removed from the Minimum expectation

component in the credit, but retained in the rating

tool under People movement.

Feedback indicates that the ratios for showers

and lockers should be amended in Green Star for

New Buildings as the demand and use of these

amenities has shifted.

It has been brought to the GBCA’s attention that

in many cases additional lockers have been

installed after practical completion (and Green

Star certification), in response to user demand.

This trend has increased in recent years, thus

the proposal to recalibrate the locker ratios.

Because the bicycle component has been

separated and now not proposed a minimum

requirement, the locker rations are on a per

occupant basis, as opposed to a per bicycle

basis.

On occasions, projects have downsized the

showers to meet the quantity requirements, in

the process reducing the user experience

dramatically. Feedback suggests that while depth

is usually satisfactory, width is not. Thus,

conservative minimum expectations have been

proposed.

The number of showers has been reduced, in

response to industry feedback. The new

numbers align better with international rating

tools.

Many end-of-trip facilities currently do not provide

an iron or iron board to users, which does not

encourage their use. This simple yet important

factor has been added as a requirement to the

credit.

The building’s occupants have access to a wide variety of amenities near the building’s location.

Occupants Showers

0 – 12 1 unisex

13 – 49 2

50 – 149 4

150 – 299 5

300 – 500 7

500+ Additional 2 per 200 occupants above 500

Occupants Showers (current) Showers (new)

0 – 12 1 (unisex) 1 unisex

13 – 49 2 2

50 – 149 4 4

150 – 299 6 5

300 – 500 8 7

500+

+ 2 / 200

occupants over

500

+ 1 / 200

occupants over

500

103







Outcome


Credit achievement Enjoyable places, People movement (Places)


Healthy by Design (Heart Foundation)

√ √

Access to amenity

The building is located in a walkable area, and building occupants have access to a wide variety of

amenities to take care of daily activities.

Calculation methods

There are two options to demonstrate compliance: Walkscore calculation, or manual calculation.

• Walkscore

The project achieves a Walk Score of at least 70 for industrial buildings, or at least 80 for all

other types of buildings, as determined by the website www.walkscore.com, using the ‘street

smart’ method of calculation.

• Manual calculation

For all projects except retail centres, at least two types of amenities (1 for industrial buildings)

are provided as part of the building, and 6 more either within the building or within 400 meters

from the entrance of the building (3 for industrial buildings).

For retail centres, all amenities can be within the building.

Major obstructions, such as highways, limit an individual’s capacity to walk. As such, where

those are found, they act as virtual barriers, and, unless the crossing is within the 400 meters,

all amenities beyond the obstruction cannot be counted.

For the manual calculation method, the project team must show that there are viable walking

paths or cycle routes that connect the building to the relevant destinations. These connections

should have shade and shelter along the route, as well as be well lit and safe.

Amenities can be off or on-site and are defined as: convenience stores; pharmacies; post

offices, restaurants, food and beverage outlets; gyms, pools and sports facilities; hospitals,

clinics and healthcare centres; childcare centres; newsagencies; retail centres; cinemas and

theatres; supermarkets and grocery stores; libraries; banks or ATMs; public parks; community

centres; churches; and educational facilities (i.e. schools or universities).

Amenities that are similar in nature to that of the development cannot be considered for

purposes of this credit. For example, a project with residential unit cannot consider other

residences as amenities. Where there are two or more of any one amenity this will count as

only 1 amenity. Therefore, 3 restaurants will only count as 2 amenities, 4 convenience stores

will only count as 2, etc.

This credit is applicable to all building sectors. The Credit achievement follows the walkability

prescriptive option outlined in the Sustainable

Transport credit in Green Star – Design & As

Built.

There are minor changes in the credit from the

prescriptive approach. In particular, the

calculation of distance has changed.

Feedback indicated minor changes would assist

in simplifying the credit.

The building’s occupants have access to a wide variety of amenities near the building’s location.

104





Yes No



• Do you agree and support the amended ratios, namely for showers and lockers?

Are these accurate for different cities across Australia?

• Do you agree with new additions to the minimum requirements, such as shower

sizes and provision of ironing faciltiies?

• Should any amenities be added to the list? Should any be mandatory for the

exceptional performance?

• Do you agree with the proposed credit achievement?

• Are there any other requirements that should be introduced?

• Do these requirements apply to all building sectors?

Access to amenity

105


106







Outcome

Minimum expectation


Responsible construction (Responsible); Social procurement (People)

Goal 5 (Gender equality); Goal 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth)

None

√ √

Social construction practices

The following must be met to satisfy the minimum requirements:

• The site offices of the responsible party must include separate gender inclusive bathroom

facilities and changing amenities with a high degree of privacy;

• Gender inclusive fit-for-purpose Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) must be provided;

• Training must be provided to all contractors and subcontractors that were present for at least

three days on site. The training must include information on any sustainable building

certification(s) sought; the sustainability attributes of the building and their benefits; explain the

value of certification; and the role site workers play in delivering a sustainable certified building;

and

• Policies must also be put in place to address issues of discrimination, racism, and bullying on

site. Policies must include training to all contractors. The policy must also have redress

procedures for any relevant breaches, and corrective measures to be put in place should any

incident by identified.

This credit applies to all building sectors. The credit introduces a minimum expectation.

This minimum expectation introduces new

requirements and also draws on a credit from

the Green Star – Design & As Built rating tool.

Sustainability education

This has broadened beyond information on the

certification of the building to now include

specifics on the sustainability attributes of the

building.

Women make up less than two per cent of

construction, automotive and electrical trades in

Australia. There are a number of programs

targeted at increasing female participation in

trade roles. In order to increase the diversity of

the construction workforce, it is important to

remove the physical and cultural barriers that

have been identified as being present.

Many site facilities do not provide bathrooms or

change facilities that are private and easily

accessible by women. There are also health and

safety implications of Personal Protective

Equipment (PPE) taking a ‘one size fits all’

approach and being ill fitting for many women.

Green Star is introducing these requirements in

order to create workplaces that are gender

inclusive.

The builder’s construction practices promote diversity and inclusion and reduce physical and mental health impacts

107







Outcome


Credit achievement Responsible construction (Responsible); Social procurement (People)


None

√ √


High quality staff support

Promote positive mental and physical health outcomes of the site activities and culture of site

workers, through programs and solutions on site that address at least 5 of the following

considerations:

The responsible party should carry a needs analysis of site workers and contractors to determine

appropriate actions. The policies and programs must be relevant to all construction workers on site

for the whole duration of construction. A mix of programs is acceptable throughout the duration of

construction.

High performing site offices

All projects with a total contract value (TVC) over $20m must provide site sheds or site offices that

promote positive social and environmental outcomes. All site sheds and offices must, at a

minimum, address stipulated criteria related the following outcomes:

An assessment of the satisfaction of the occupants of the site office must be conducted during its

use, and where issues were found, they must be addressed, ideally using BOSSA. A copy of the

survey and summary of the results, with any corrective actions, must be provided for assessment.


High performance site offices is applicable to all

demountable accommodation, regardless of whether it is

utilised for continuous/permanent or transient occupancy.

This applies to both ‘site sheds’ and ‘site offices’, noting the

nuances between them.

A nearby existing building can be used to claim this credit.

However, the space must still meet all the compliance

requirements.

This has been promoted from an Innovation challenge. The

requirement that all projects with a TCV over $20m must

address the high performing site offices has been

introduced to the rating tool.

This version of the credit takes a more performance

pathway approach when compared to the current Innovation

challenge.


In Green Star – Design & As Built v1.3 only

three initiatives aimed at improving site workers’

mental health needed to be addressed. In Green

Star for New Buildings, this has increased to

five.


This has been promoted from an Innovation

Challenge into the rating tool. The threshold of

any projects with a TVC over $20m has also

been added.


Building developments have a significant

opportunity to influence many workers and

promote workers’ mental and physical health.

The considerations have been increased to five

to enable a wider spectrum of issues to be

covered.


Recent uptake of this Innovation challenge

indicates that there is appetite for this

initiative. Furthermore, as Green Star for New

Buildings expands the scope of social

sustainability outcomes, this outcome presents

an opportunity to positively influence the lives of

all of those involved in the project lifecycle.


• Suicide prevention

• Healthy eating and active living

• Reduce harmful alcohol and drug and

tobacco consumption

• Increased social cohesion, community

and cultural participation

• Understanding depression

• Preventing violence and injury

• Decrease psychological stress

• Finding fulfillment at work or mindful

meditation

• Manufacture of shed

• Materials

• Energy efficiency

• Greenhouse gas emissions

• Metering and monitoring

• Air quality

• Thermal comfort

• Acoustics

• Lighting

• Exposure to toxins

• Indoor plants

• Water efficient appliances

• Refrigerants

• Acoustics

108







Outcome


Exceptional performance Responsible construction (Responsible); Social procurement (People)


None

√ √


The development generates employment opportunities for socially disadvantaged minority groups

and increases workforce capacity and capability. Increase the diversity of construction workforce

by integrating targets in construction contracts and sub-contracts. As a minimum, the following

targets apply:

• 5% Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander participation;

• 3% Women in non-traditional roles/ professions; and

• At least one other target group (for example, culturally and linguistically diverse, local

participation and long term unemployed).

Targets must be incorporated into main construction contracts including sub-contracts and

require:

• Retention of employed staff for the duration of the project/ contract delivery;

• Data collection, monitoring and reporting; and

• A framework for incentivising the achievement of targets.

A Workforce Plan must be developed that includes:

• A demographic study of the local region to inform identification of additional target groups;

• Project jobs and skills demand assessment;

• Target group jobs and skills supply assessment;

• Clear governance structure to ensure implementation of the workforce plan;

• Identified roles and responsibilities in the implementation and monitoring of workforce targets;

• Outline capacity building and training opportunities for target group;

• Training of contractors and sub-contractors on diversity and inclusion (for example cultural

awareness training);

• Identify data collection and reporting templates/ tools;

• Outline the process to collect data from Tier 2 and Tier 3 contractors; and

• Establish monitoring and reporting requirements to measure impacts and outcomes as well as

benefits realised.

Projects must report monthly and at the time of practical completion provide a summary of:

• Number of jobs created per target group;

• Job retention rate over life of project per target group; and

• Jobs supported.


When developing targets related to workforce, the project

should consider the local conditions as well as the project

size. Target groups can include:

• People from a culturally and linguistically diverse

background;

• Long term unemployed;

• Refugees;

• Youth (those aged 18 to 24);

• Apprentices and learning workers; and

• Local employment.

A demographic study will inform targets to be developed.

Government sources such as the Australian Bureau of

Statistics; the NSW Department of Communities and

Justice; and the National Centre for Vocational Education

provide useful statistics and data to help develop project

specific targets.

When developing workforce targets the following principles

are recommended:

• Allow flexibility in the targets so that they can be

adapted depending on the project phase and life-cycle;

• Ensure targets and requirements in the Workforce Plan

are able to be contractually enforceable;

• Provide value to target group and project;

• Ensure they are realistic, and thus while aspirational, are

able to be achieved.

Engagement with employer providers is recommended to

better understand local supply and development needs.

While the following list is not exhaustive, it can be used to

guide the project:

• Aboriginal Employment Strategy;

• Apprentice Employment Network;

• Refugee Settlement Program; and

• National Association for Women in Construction.

Working with the procurement team during the development

of the Workforce Plan is important, as integration into the

overall Procurement Strategy/Plan for the project is the

mechanism by which workforce targets can be

implemented.


Targeted employment strategies is seen as an important lever in not only increasing job opportunities

for under-represented and disadvantaged groups, but in also addressing skills shortages. Nine out of

ten trades is experiencing a shortage in skilled workers to meet current and future demand. This

presents a risk to the delivery of construction projects across Australia.

Industry requires an additional 300,00 construction workers by 2024 (Master Builders Association).

Workforce targets are an important way to increase participation, diversity and build industry skills and

capacity.


109

http://abs.gov.au/websitedbs/D3310114.nsf/home/Hom

https://www.facs.nsw.gov.au/

https://www.ncver.edu.au/

https://aes.org.au/

http://www.apprenticeemploymentnetwork.com.au/

https://www.ssi.org.au/services/refugee-employment-support-program

https://www.nawic.com.au/Web/About/Web/About/About_Us.aspx?hkey=29b7bc06-8e62-426e-8b5e-2ba4ef4d3588





Yes No



• Do you agree with the requirements in the Minimum expectation?

• Do you agree with the proposed physical and mental health identified?

• Do you agree with the proposed workforce targets for Exceptional performance? Are

there any targets groups that you recommend be included/ excluded? What

guidance do you recommend are needed to help develop and implement workforce

targets?


110







Outcome


Credit achievement Culture and heritage, Design for inclusion (People); Enjoyable places, Activated places (Places)

Goal 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities); Goal 16 (Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions)

None

√ √ √

Community engagement

The building must demonstrate that it has engaged with the community during the early design

stages.

The project must produce an Engagement Report using the the International Association for Public

Participation Australasia (IAP2) core values for public participation and to show how it will achieved

the ‘Collaborate’ status.

The IAP2 framework will guide the engagement strategy by including elements such as a value

statement, policy and/or procedures for engagement.

The Engagement Report must provide information on the following:

• List the various community groups in the area, including hard-to-reach groups, and identify

stakeholders by relevant categories (e.g. business, residential, interest groups, government);

• How the local community was reached out to, engaged, and how the data was collected;

• How the engagement data influenced the building design and programming, with supporting

evidence; and

• How decisions were fed back to the community groups that participated in the engagement

activities.


To achieve meaningful engagement, it is recommended that

engagement activities commence as early as possible

(i.e before Development Application) so that the community

is involved from the beginning of the project. Engaging the

community after most of the decisions are made means their

input is unlikely to be reflected; and it is more difficult to

obtain the community’s buy-in.

Guidance tools other than IAP2 are acceptable where it can

be demonstrated that the alternative guideline also strives to

implement an equivalent set of core values in its approach

to the process of public participation.

While it is recognised that demonstrating deep engagement

is difficult and relies on qualitative rather than quantitative

assessment, there are success factors that can be used to

guide the project team during the engagement process.

This will be helped by a focus on:

• Depth of research on community groups and members

to be engaged;

• Diversity of individual participants and groups who were

engaged;

• Rigour in the data collected from community

engagement; and

• Extent to which community engagement influenced the

project.

The local community engaged pre-DA and pre-occupation

can be different from the actual users or occupants. The

purpose of the engagement is not to respond to self-

interests of the individuals, but rather to gather data and

insights on what is important to the existing community and

to build on those values and aspirations. Future users,

occupants and the property owner/manager may have

different views and the place should be designed so that it

can evolve with them.


There are many impacts that a project can have on the broader community. A building that the

community can engage and interact with can transform it into a centre of activity for the community, a

meeting place, a place of cultural significance, and a source of pride to local residents. To achieve this

desired outcome, strong community engagement must be a key component of the design stage.

Conversely, if the community is not encouraged to engage with a building it reduces that project’s

capacity to add value to the community and build trust.

The Community engagement credit is an extension of the current Community benefits Innovation

Challenge. It has a strong focus on encouraging the community to become part of the project and

ultimately influence the design of the building in some way. The Community engagement credit aims

to encourage project teams to go above and beyond what is commonly provided when designing and

developing buildings in Australia.

Additional benefits of effective community engagement include:

• Fewer backlashes and increased buy-ins from the community, along with enhanced trust;

• Enabling the community to connect with each other and build local relationships to support

place evolution;

• Validation of design proposal and opportunity to pivot through data collection and respond to

community inputs;

• Demonstration of community values in building design; and

• Potentially smoother Development Application (DA) process.

Because the built environment has the potential – and responsibility – to build social trust and

cohesion, this credit is a timely introduction into the rating tool.

The community influences the design of the building.

111





Yes No



• Do you feel the current criteria are reflective of best practice in Australia?

• Is 'Collaborate' status on the IAP2 spectrum a reasonable expectation?

• Is there an Exceptional performance level of achievement in this credit? What

should that be?

• Should there be the communication, collaboration and/or governance mechanism to

support ongoing community interaction that will support community cohesion

criteria?

• Would this credit be applicable to all building types? If not, which ones would it not

apply to and why?

Community engagement

112







Outcome


Credit achievement Community engagement; Design quality (People); Enjoyable places, Activated places (Places)

Goal 10 (Reduced Inequalities); Goal 16 (Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions); Goal 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities)

None

√ √ √ √

Culture, heritage and identity

To achieve this credit, the project team must show that the building’s design reflects and enhances

the local culture, heritage and/ or identity.

The development of an Interpretation Plan is a first step in identifying material issues related to

culture, heritage and identity and is a requirement of achieving this credit. The process for

developing a project specific Interpretation Plan should address the following:

• Identify opportunities to recognise, acknowledge and celebrate Aboriginal and Torres Strait

Islander culture in the project. This can be achieved by:

• Identifying the local Aboriginal and Torre Strait Islander culture, that is the Country

and People

• Undertaking engagement founded on acknowledgement and respect

• Meaningfully participating in the design process

• Investigating opportunities for participating in the project's delivery

• Using ceremony to create enduring partnerships.

• Other local demographics and community identities (e.g. ethnicities, languages, religions, ages

and gender);

• How hidden or minority identities that are not immediately obvious have been researched and

reflected; and

• History and heritage of the place (including indigenous and non-indigenous).

As part of this research, the project must demonstrate that it has meaningfully engaged

with identified community groups. This can be demonstrated by meeting credit Community

engagement in the People category.

The project must then show how the research and engagement conducted above translated into

the design of the building. For example, this can be achieved through:

• Community art or placemaking projects;

• Selection of suppliers/designers of artwork or cultural elements were selected;

• Building elements that tell stories of the past and heritage; and

• Spaces and uses that reflect the local identities.


Public buildings whose occupants/users are likely to be the

local community may require more in-depth community

engagement to ensure they are fit for purpose, inclusive and

to build place attachment from an early stage.

It is recommended that projects undertake the analysis to

inform the projects' strategy and design as early as possible,

preferably before Development Application (DA). This is to

ensure that the research can meaningfully be integrated into

the building design rather than being an afterthought e.g.

spatial designs or land uses that reflect the local culture and

identity is preferable to an add-on graphic design on a

façade.

The culture, identity and heritage reflected in the building

are likely to be those of the past and present. Future users,

occupants and the property owner/manager may have

different views and the place should be designed so that it

can evolve with them.

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander design response

should following the eight points from the Australian

Indigenous Design Charter:

• Indigenous led. Ensure Aboriginal representation in the

creation of the design.

• Self-determined. Respect for the rights of Aboriginal

peoples to oversee representation creation of their

culture in design practice.

• Community specific. Ensure respect for the diversity of

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander culture by following

community specific cultural protocols.

• Deep listening. Ensure respectful, culturally specific,

personal engagement behaviours for effective

communication and courteous interaction are practiced.

• Impact of design. Always consider the reception and

implications of all designs so that they are respectful to

Indigenous culture.

• Indigenous knowledge. Respectfully ask the client if

there is an aspect to the project, in relation to any

design brief, that may be improved with Indigenous

knowledge.

• Shared knowledge (collaboration, co-creation,

procurement). Develop and implement respectful

methods for all levels of engagement and sharing of

Indigenous knowledge (collaboration, co-creation,

procurement).

• Legal and moral. Demonstrate respect and honour

cultural ownership and intellectual property rights,

including moral rights, and obtain appropriate

permissions where required.


A current Culture, heritage and identity Innovation challenge exists for Green Star – Design & As Built

projects. However, this current Innovation challenge is focused on retaining heritage buildings. The

proposed credit extents into new developments with the opportunity to influence the design of the

building to reflect culture, heritage and identity.

Cultural heritage is critical to the identity of a community. In the context of the urban fabric, cultural

heritage may mean buildings that carry a significant meaning to locals or those that provide a window

to the past.

Key benefits include:

• Contribution to building design quality, complexity, ‘nuance’ – building is more distinctive and

interesting/engaging;

• Memorable, meaningful and unique places that increase place attachment and foot traffic;

• Increase in the occupants' and the general public’s awareness of the place story;

• Procurement of artists, artworks and materials that contribute to the local economy;

• Community building using cultural spaces and programs as a vehicle; and

• Better contextual ‘fit’ for the building.

The building reflects local culture, identify and heritage.

113







Outcome


Exceptional performance Community Engagement; Design Quality (People); Enjoyable Places, Activated Places (Places)

Goal 10 (Reduced Inequalities); Goal 16 (Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions); Goal 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities)

None

√ √ √ √


The Green Star project being rated must play a central role in the delivery of the targets set in the

organisational Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP). To claim Exceptional performance, the project

team must demonstrate that:

• A key member of the Project Team is part of the organisational RAP Working Group;

• At least 90% of the RAP targets have been met on the project; and

• All implemented actions related to the RAP are publicly reported on the Project's website.

Any design element must be informed by consultation undertaken with the local Aboriginal and

Torres Strait Islander community through nominated representatives.


Where an organisational RAP has already been developed

and endorsed, the project is required to adapt this to the

project under certification. To achieve the Exceptional

performance the project must detail specific engagement,

implementation and actions that have positively influenced

the outcomes of the project.

In order for meaningful engagement to be undertaken, the

nominated representatives must be identified and contacted

as early in the design process as possible. Best practice

guides do exist. Some examples include:

• Engaging with Indigenous Australia— exploring the

conditions for effective relationships with Aboriginal and

Torres Strait Islander communities

• National Science an Environment Program: Indigenous

Engagement Guidelines

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander design response

should following the eight points from the Australian

Indigenous Design Charter:

• Indigenous led. Ensure Aboriginal representation in the

creation of the design.

• Self-determined. Respect for the rights of Aboriginal

peoples to oversee representation creation of their

culture in design practice.

• Community specific. Ensure respect for the diversity of

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander culture by following

community specific cultural protocols.

• Deep listening. Ensure respectful, culturally specific,

personal engagement behaviours for effective

communication and courteous interaction are practiced.

• Impact of design. Always consider the reception and

implications of all designs so that they are respectful to

Indigenous culture.

• Indigenous knowledge. Respectfully ask the client if

there is an aspect to the project, in relation to any

design brief, that may be improved with Indigenous

knowledge.

• Shared knowledge (collaboration, co-creation,

procurement). Develop and implement respectful

methods for all levels of engagement and sharing of

Indigenous knowledge (collaboration, co-creation,

procurement).

• Legal and moral. Demonstrate respect and honour

cultural ownership and intellectual property rights,

including moral rights, and obtain appropriate

permissions where required.


A current Reconciliation Action Plan (RAP) Innovation challenge exists for Green Star – Design & As

Built projects. Due to uptake, and the desired outcomes the credit delivers, this has been promoted

from Innovation Challenge into the rating tool.

Addressing social inequalities is a key contribution to the sustainable development of an organisation.

One of the major existing social inequalities within Australia is between Indigenous and non-

Indigenous Australians. Through the development of a RAP these inequalities can be addressed in a

formalised manner.

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people have a deep connection to the land and water, and

through their enduring history with the country they are able to bring unique and valuable perspectives

and knowledge to enrich and holistically inform a range of project initiatives, from design to delivery.

The Green Star project being rated must play a central role in the delivery of the RAP.

The building reflects local culture, identify and heritage.

114

https://www.aihw.gov.au/getmedia/7d54eac8-4c95-4de1-91bb-0d6b1cf348e2/ctgc-ip05.pdf.aspx?inline=true

http://www.environment.gov.au/system/files/pages/2f561690-b47e-4bf2-b028-d18739b3486f/files/nesp-indigenous-engagement-guidelines.docx





Yes No



• Should Reconciliation Action Plans be included in the rating tool?

• Is the necessary research in the Interpretation Plan sufficient? Any other types of

research that should be conducted?

• Is the requirement to create a project-specific RAP reasonable? Do you have any

guidance on requirements for this?


116







Outcome


Credit achievement Socially responsible construction practices (People); Responsible procurement (Responsible)

Goal 5 (Gender Equality); Goal 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth)

None

√ √ √

Social procurement

Social procurement is when organisations use their buying power to generate social benefit

beyond the goods and devices being provided.

In order to achieve this credit the project must direct at least 3% of its CAPEX to the procurement

of goods, services and construction provided by:

• Aboriginal businesses;

• Social enterprises; and/ or

• Disability enterprises.

Enterprise providers must be certified by third party organisations such as Supply Nation, Social

Traders, BuyAbility and government chamber of commerce.

To ensure the successful delivery of the social procurement targets, the project must develop a

Social Procurement Plan/ Strategy (this can be part of an overall project

procurement plan/strategy). The plan must:

• Identify social procurement project objectives;

• Establish clear governance structures to ensure implementation of the social procurement

targets;

• Identify roles and responsibilities in the implementation and monitoring of social procurement

targets and contracts;

• Outline capacity building and training opportunities for project staff as well as contractors and

sub-contractors on social procurement targets;


• Outline the process to collect data from Tier 2 and Tier 3 contractors;


benefits realised; and

• The project must incorporate social procurement targets into key contracts. Contracts must

require data collection, monitoring and reporting; and a framework for incentivising the

achievement of targets.

Projects must report annually and at the time of practical completion:

• Dollar spent and as a proportion of project CAPEX;

• Supplier engaged; and

• Jobs supported.


Social procurement is the use of strategic procurement

practice to generate social benefits beyond the products

and services required. Social procurement occurs when

organisations intentionally choose to purchase a social

outcome when buying a good, service or delivering works.

Social procurement is being driven at a State level by

a number of governments. The Victorian Social

Procurement Framework is considered a best practice guide

that can be used by projects when developing and

implementing their Social Procurement Strategy/ Plan.

Other existing guidelines include:

• Social Procurement in NSW; and

• Insights into Social Procurement: From Policy to

Practice.

Early engagement with the procurement professionals and

identified supply chain are important success factors.

The accreditation organistaions (i.e. Supply Nation, Social

Traders and BuyAbility for example) provide advisory

services to help projects identify opportunities for suitable

spend and can provide data demonstrating social impacts.


The built environment has a wide and diverse supply chain. In recognition of this, procurement is

increasingly being used to improve environmental and social outcomes beyond the project

boundary.

Directing spend towards enterprises that achieve social outcomes is an effective way to create

employment opportunities for disadvantaged communities and groups such as Aboriginal and Torres

Strait Islander and disabled.

As well as social benefits, encouraging investment in social procurement has the benefit of supporting

small and medium sized enterprises and is a good way of diversifying the supply chain.

This credit builds on the work underway by a number of government organisations at the national,

state and local levels, embedding social procurement in their procurement strategies and targets.

The development facilitates workforce participation and economic development of disadvantaged and under-represented groups through targeted procurement activities.

116

https://buyingfor.vic.gov.au/social-procurement-victorian-government-approach

http://socialprocurementaustralasia.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/Social-Procurement-in-NSW-Full-Guide.pdf

http://socialprocurementaustralasia.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/07/SPA-Insights-From-Policy-to-Practice-2015_FINAL.pdf







Outcome


Exceptional performance Socially responsible construction practices (People); Responsible procurement (Responsible)

Goal 5 (Gender Equality); Goal 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth)

None

√ √ √

Social procurement

Direct at least 6% of the project’s CAPEX to the procurement of goods, services and construction

provided by:

• Aboriginal businesses;

• Social enterprises; and/ or

• Disability enterprises.

Enterprise providers must be certified by third party organisations such as Supply Nation, Social

Traders, BuyAbility and government chamber of commerce.

To ensure the successful delivery of the social procurement targets, the project must develop a

Social Procurement Plan/ Strategy (this can be part of an overall project

procurement plan/strategy). The plan must:

• Identify social procurement project objectives;

• Establish clear governance structures to ensure implementation of the social procurement

targets;

• Identify roles and responsibilities in the implementation and monitoring of social procurement

targets and contracts;

• Outline capacity building and training opportunities for project staff as well as contractors and

sub-contractors on social procurement targets;


• Outline the process to collect data from Tier 2 and Tier 3 contractors;


benefits realised; and

• The project must incorporate social procurement targets into key contracts. Contracts must

require data collection, monitoring and reporting; and a framework for incentivising the

achievement of targets.

Projects must report annually and at the time of practical completion:

• Dollar spent and as a proportion of project CAPEX;

• Supplier engaged; and

• Jobs supported.

Refer to Credit achievement for applicability and guidance. Refer to Credit achievement for rationale.

The development facilitates workforce participation and economic development of disadvantaged and under-represented groups through targeted procurement activities.

117





Yes No



• Do you agree with the specified groups identified in the credit?

• Do you agree with the proposed targets for Credit achievement and

Exceptional performance?

• Are there any other issues that should be added to the requirements of the

Social Procurement Strategy?

• Are there any guidelines or organisations that can be added to support

update of this credit?

Social procurement

118







Outcome


Credit achievement Responsible construction (Responsible)


None

√ √

Design for inclusion

The building’s design must show an increase in design for diversity considerations beyond

legislative requirements.

The credit must enable the navigation and enjoyment of as many stakeholders of diverse ages,

genders, and abilities (physical, sight, sound, mind, spectrum, and others) as possible.

There are three criteria that must be met:

• Equal access to the building: Provide identical, appealing, safe, and secure access in a

manner that does not segregate or stigmatize users through all principal entrance points and

main thoroughfares inside and outside the building.

• Diverse wayfinding: Introduce visual, physical, olfactory, and auditory solutions to help

individuals navigate the site in a safe and enjoyable manner.

• Inclusive spaces: introduce internal and external spaces for a diverse range of users, including

parents, family restrooms, emergency rooms, quiet rooms and social interaction rooms. These

rooms should be accessible to all users.

In addition to the above, the following must also occur:

• Training for the project development team on universal design principles and project goals.

• Training for the future building operations and facilities management team on the design

features that enable inclusivity, how to maintain them properly, and how to respectfully work

with all stakeholders to assist them on their needs.

• Develop policies for the maintenance of the building to ensure a focus on inclusiveness. These

policies should include staff training, cleaning procedures, rapid response for maintenance

issues, and how to manage emergency situations.

• Equal access to the building: Provide identical, appealing, safe, and secure access in a

manner that does not segregate or stigmatize users through all principal entrance points and

main thoroughfares inside and outside the building.


The credit is targeting an includ

There are a number of guidelines that can be used to deliver solutions that go beyond relevant legislation:

• Design for Dignity Guidelines, Australian network ondisability.

• Inclusive design standard, London legacy developmentcorporation

• isUD certification guidelines, Centre for inclusive designand environmental access

• Centre for Excellence in Universal Design, Building forEveryone series

The Design for Inclusion credit fundamentally aims to take more inclusive view of how people access

and engage with a place, and most importantly, how they can do so seamlessly with equity and

dignity.

While this is a new credit to the rating tool, it expands on the successful Universal Design Innovation

Challenge.

The scope of the credit has broadened to address other aspects of inclusivity. The current Universal

Design Innovation Challenge is aimed at providing greater accessibility, this credit looks extends to

expand this to other groups.

The new credit also includes the requirements to develop training and policies to ensure the outcomes

are maximised and continually achieved throughout the operations of the building. It recognises that

designing an inclusive building is the first step, and maintaining it is the second. One without the other

does not deliver optimal outcomes.

The building is welcoming to a diverse population and delivers on their needs.

119

https://www.and.org.au/pages/design-for-dignity.html

https://www.queenelizabetholympicpark.co.uk/-/media/inclusive-design-standards-low-res-final.ashx?la=en

https://www.thisisud.com/dashboard/solutions.php

http://universaldesign.ie/Built-Environment/Building-for-Everyone/Entire-Series-Books-1_10.pdf







Outcome


Exceptional performance Responsible construction (Responsible)


None

√ √

Design for inclusion

As part of the design process, the project team must consult with distinct community community

types to develop a needs analysis that will influence the project.

The consultation must include a balanced cross-section of representation from the disability

community. The consultation must be considerate and relevant to the project. The consultation

process must generate a report that is then used to influence the design of the project.

How the needs analysis is completed will need to be suited to the project and stakeholders –the

end-use, types of users, who is doing the analysis and why the analysis is being done. In

submitting for this project teams will need to describe the needs analysis that was undertaken and

how this contributed to the project’s design solutions. The needs analysis may be formal and

extensive, or informal and focused, depending on the project-specific circumstances.

As a result of the needs analysis, the building must show features that go beyond typical practice.

It must enable the navigation and enjoyment of stakeholders of diverse ages, genders, and

abilities (physical, sight, sound, mind, and others).

Building solutions that are expected to be included would be assistive technologies, emotional

health spaces, acoustic treatments, adaptive strategies, gender, size, and physical appropriate

facilities, etc.

Please see guidance under the Credit achievement.

The Design for Inclusion credit fundamentally aims to take more inclusive view of how people access

and engage with a place, and most importantly, how they can do so seamlessly with equity and

dignity.

While this is a new credit to the rating tool, it expands on the successful Universal Design Innovation

Challenge.

The scope of the credit has broadened to address other aspects of inclusivity. The current Universal

Design Innovation Challenge is aimed at providing greater accessibility, this credit looks extends to

expand this to other groups.

The exceptional performance takes this credit further. Where the credit achievement recognises the

need for better outcomes, the exceptional performance recognises efforts where the community has

been brought onto the project to inform appropriate design solutions.

The building is welcoming to a diverse population and delivers on their needs.

120





Yes No



• The credit takes a much broader view of inclusivity and is relevant to all people using

the building. Is this a reasonable approach, or should it be focused only on those

with disabilities?

• Are there any other guidelines that could be referenced?

• Do you support the proposal to develop training material and policies?

• Are there any building types where universal access in particular is poorly

addressed?

Design for Inclusion

121







Outcome


Credit achievement

The building’s smart technologies and services relying on capturing data were procured following

privacy by design principles. An operational plan is developed to manage any relevant data issues.

In addition, any activities related to data gathering or any systems that may obtain, manage, and

dispose of privacy data are disclosed to building occupants in plain English and in a relevant,

prominent, and accessible place. A process to obtain collected data must also be in place.

Privacy by Design framework

As part of the development of the building, and prior to significant procurement, the project team

must commit to following a ‘Privacy by Design’ framework. As part of the procurement, the project

team must also perform a ‘Privacy Impact Assessment’ for all data capturing technologies in the

building. The assessment must identify potential impacted stakeholders resulting from any manual

or machine data gathering, identify the risks to those stakeholders, and address measures in place

to reduce those impacts. Consideration must be given to meeting legal requirements, fiduciary

obligations, and community expectations.

Procurement of smart technologies

The procurement and installation of smart building technologies must consider:

• Identifying the purpose of data collection

• Reducing the amount of collected data

• Identifying disclosure limitations

• Security and access to data

• Disposal of that data in a safe and secure manner where applicable

The project team must also develop an operational plan related to privacy matters for the

management of the building. The operational plan must be written in plain English, and enable the

facilities management team to understand the privacy implications of all smart technologies

installed. The operational plan must also address what to do in case of a privacy breach and how

to redress the problem. Alternatively, the data management plan (to include privacy issues) must

be incorporated into the building's risk framework management to ensure data privacy breaches

are an intrinsic part of the building's operational management plan.

Disclosure of data to building occupants

The disclosures to occupants must be in plain English, and encourage the active

acknowledgement of the person in providing such data. Passive actions are not acceptable.

Where active acknowledgment is not possible, for example where the data collection is related to

building sensors, beacons, cameras, or some other form of passive identification, the disclosure

must be made prominently and in plain English. In addition to this, more information must be

provided online on what the disclosures mean to them, such as when do they expect their data to

no longer be required by the building management.

Finally, a facility to view, download and explore this data must be made available in a format that

enables a typical person to view the information. The individual should also be able to download

and delete relevant identifiable information. The information does not have to be instantly provided.

A window of 5 to 10 days is acceptable for the user to receive the information.


The privacy by design framework is based aims to

proactively embedding privacy into the procurement,

installation, and operation of smart building technologies.

A privacy impact assessment (PIA) is a systematic

assessment of a project that identifies the impact that the

project might have on the privacy of individuals, and sets out

recommendations for managing, minimizing or eliminating

those impacts.

Resources for this credit include:

• Privacy by Design - The 7 Foundational Principles,

https://www.ipc.on.ca/wp-

content/uploads/Resources/7foundationalprinciples.pdf

• Guide to undertaking privacy impact assessments,

Office of the Australian Information Commissioner,

https://www.oaic.gov.au/privacy/guidance-and-

advice/guide-to-undertaking-privacy-impact-

assessments/


The introduction of smart technologies in the built environment has the capacity to deliver significant

improvements to how buildings perform and are managed. Within the scope of these smart

technologies, a large amount of data is collected to enable their operation.

Captured in this data is a significant amount of information related to how individuals live, work, and

play. In most cases this information is not a cause of concern (e.g. number of people who walk

through a building). In others, the data collected, if not secured and anonymised appropriately can

lead to the loss of privacy for an individual (e.g. which store you walked into on which day).

While there are already laws in place requiring a high level of security, there are still risks to be

considered when deployed in the built environment. For example, increases in excessive monitoring

may hamper the enjoyment of public realm. Alternatively, the public disclosure of monitoring may also

lead to individuals feeling safer while enjoying the amenities provided.

Privacy is a human right. More importantly, it is an expectation that information that is being provided

to an entity, whether by design or accident, is being treated appropriately and securely.

This credit aims to bring privacy to the forefront. Its goal is to ensure privacy considerations are

embedded into the procurement and deployment of any smart building technologies. It also aims to

ensure any data collection activities are clearly disclosed to the user.

122

Responsible Procurement (Responsible)

Goal 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth); Goal 11 (Sustainable places and Communities), Goal 16 (Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions)

None

√ √ √ √ √

Privacy

The building’s implementation of technology considered and discloses the privacy implications of its deployment on visitors and occupants

https://www.ipc.on.ca/wp-content/uploads/Resources/7foundationalprinciples.pdf

https://www.oaic.gov.au/privacy/guidance-and-advice/guide-to-undertaking-privacy-impact-assessments/





Yes No



• Is the suggested approach appropriate for this credit?

• This credit aims to go beyond legal obligations. Are the requirements doing this?

• This credit is focused on the privacy implications of smart technology deployment.

Are there other privacy implications that should be considered?

Privacy

123







Outcome


Credit achievement

The building’s procurement process enables good design. The building also goes through a design

review process.

Comprehensive Procurement

A comprehensive procurement plan to deliver design quality throughout all project stages is

prepared and followed, including:

• Project Brief including aspiration and delivery of design quality;

• An outline of the procurement process and how design quality is embedded in contractual

arrangements from inception/brief to completion of the project. In the case of novation this

needs to include the extent of design development and documentation before novation;

• A statement by the Quantity Surveyor that the budget is appropriate for the aspiration

of the project;

• An independent design review process. Commitment and then reports about how

recommendations from the independent design reviews have been taken on board;

• The program showing:

• Sufficient time allocation for each design and documentation stage

• Independent design review points in each design and documentation stage. (Note:

guidance: not at the end of design stages but early on, where changes can be made)

• Inclusion of the design team and/or independent reviewers in any value management

and other processes that can impact design

• Alignment with existing design quality processes such as the City of Sydney

Competitive Design Policy

• A plan how design quality is made a shared responsibility by key players

• As the project progresses respective evidence for the execution of the procurement plan must

be provided (e.g. design review reports, incorporation of recommendations etc.)

Design Review

Design reviews are held at key points in the development of the design. At a minimum, these

should occur as follows:

• Design Review during concept/schematic design stage, to ensure that proponents can take

advantage of the advice offered at a time where the design is flexible enough to accommodate

change without impacting on time and cost constraints.

• A subsequent review should typically occur at a stage when the design has been further

progressed. This review session will typically occur during design development.

• At building permit stage (after development approval) it is suggested that a check takes place

by the Design Review Panel Chair or delegate, to ensure that the design quality of the

proposal is consistent with the approved development application and any relevant conditions

related to design quality.


The design review must be included in the design and

planning process

The design review panel must be made up of experienced

professionals

Design reviews may be either in-house, mixed, or fully

independent of the project

The design review must use comprehensive terms of

reference during the project’s design and design

development phase. The Green Star for New Buildings

submission guidelines outline a number of issues that may

also compliment the design review. Project teams that are

unable to meet specific Green Star criteria, can show that

they have used the sought outcomes as a guide for the

process outlined in this credit.

Resources for this credit:

• Australian institute of Architects, Competition policy

• Government Architect NSW, Better Placed

• Office of the Victorian Government Architect

• Government as Smart Client

• The Case for Good Design

• Good Design Publication Series

• Design WA, Better Places, Better Spaces

The design of a building has implications that extend beyond the building itself. Not only does good

design help deliver better outcomes such as energy efficiency or resilience, but it also contributes to

the ‘look and feel’ of the place in which it is located.

Design is not always given the attention is requires due to tight delivery timelines. The emphasis

becomes about designing a building that meets regulatory requirements, and is able to be constructed

in as short a time as possible. While this is by no means standard practice, it occurs enough to be an

issue, and something that Green Star is potentially able to influence. Thus, the credit seeks to embed

good design principles into the early stages of the projects lifecycle as possible.

Some aspects of good design can be measured quantitatively, such as many sustainability measures

(e.g. through other green star credits), length of activated façade, durability of façade material etc..

Many aspects of a design concept and the design response as whole are often a qualitative

assessment however. This is partly because there are often different ways to arrive at a good design

solution but also because of the inability to squeeze good design into a set of rules and numbers. To

evaluate design therefore requires specific independent expertise and review. The design and

specialist technical expertise of the reviewers is critical in giving constructive peer-feedback to ensure

that the design response is comprehensive and coherent.

Engaging in design review improves the design quality of projects and can speed up the planning

process, leading to quicker delivery of high-quality buildings and places that provide a wide range of

benefits to occupants, neighbours and the broader community.

Design teams can benefit from design review by:

• confirming the validity of design approaches early, before detailed design occurs

• receiving constructive independent advice including recommendations for change early, when it is

most likely to be useful and more easily implemented i.e. before too many project variables are set

• receiving support for good design and innovative proposals

Developers can benefit from design review by:

• receiving expert independent advice on the design quality of their project

• providing the flexibility needed to pursue improved outcomes

• reducing risks and costs of delays in the planning process that can result from inadequate design

quality by identifying weaknesses within the design at the earliest possible opportunity, when

changes are less costly

• increasing the confidence of clients and designers to pursue innovative solutions

A design review process is an effective way to demonstrate that a building has been designed under

these principles.

Ultimately, buildings should be designed that maximises outcomes whilst still delivering the functional

requirements needed to meet client expectations, and achieve the desired Green Star rating.

124

Enjoyable Places, Contribution to Place (Places); Responsible Procurement (Responsible)

Goal 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth)

None

√ √ √

Design Quality

The development is of lasting high quality of design to its occupants, the community and the environment.





Yes No



• Do you feel the pathways will deliver the intended outcomes? If not, what else could

you required to demonstrate compliance with the credit?

• Are there any development that can’t appoint a design review panel? Which ones,

and what are the reasons for this?

• Are there alternatives to a design review panel that could deliver the same intended

outcome? What are these?

• Should more work be done to define the different design review options? In-house vs

internal reviews?

• Does the independence of the design review matter?

• Should other disciplines be involved in delivering design quality?

Design Quality

125


126







Outcome

Minimum expectation


Nature connectivity, Biodiversity enhancement, Waterway protection, Nature stewardship, Offsite restoration (Nature)

Goal 15 (Life on Land); Goal 14 (Life Below Water)

GRESB

√ √ √

Impacts to nature

The building was not built on, or significantly impacted, a site with a high ecological value.

The minimum expectation is met where, at the date of site purchase or option contract, the project

demonstrates the following:

• The project is not on land containing old-growth forest;

• The project is not on prime agricultural land;

• The project does not impact on any wetland listed as being of ‘High National Importance’,

unless specified Wetland Protection Measures are in place; and

• The project does not have a significant impact on ‘Matters of National Significance’ listed under

the Environmental Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act (1999)

Where the site impacts on a wetland of high national importance, a site-specific wetland

management plan must be produced, exhibited and implemented. In addition, the Waterways

protection Credit Achievement must be met.

The site-specific Wetland Management Plan must be prepared by a qualified Ecologist or other

qualified professional and include requirements for ongoing quarterly monitoring, annual reporting

and management of the wetland ecosystem for a minimum of five years. The plan must be

exhibited to the public on the applicant’s website, or the local council’s offices or library, for a

minimum of 24 months.

In cases where the site has been owned by the current owner for more than five years (from the

project’s Green Star registration date), the requirements are applied to the state of the site that

existed at least five (but not more than ten years) prior to the project’s Green Star registration

date.

The project must not impact on a Matter of National Significance or have been referred to the

Federal Environmental Minister for consideration and assessed as a 'controlled action’. Project

teams can determine whether the project site is subject to approval under the EPBC Act by

referring to their Development Approval documents.

Where the previous condition of the site is unclear, a qualified Ecologist shall assess the site and

make a determination of its ecological value at the approximate time of purchase.


The GBCA reserves the right to provide the final ruling on a

project’s compliance with the minimum expectation.

The minimum expectation shall be applied to the condition

of the site that existed at the date of site purchase or option

contract (previous condition of the site).

Wetland of 'High National Importance’

A wetland is considered of ‘High National Importance’ if it is

deemed significant under a state or national register, listed

under the Ramsar Convention on Wetlands, or listed under

‘A Directory of Important Wetlands in Australia’.

There are no changes from the current Green

Star – Design & As Built conditional requirement

under Sustainable Sites.

The Nature category follows the below

hierarchy:

1. Protect and conserve

2. Restore

3. Enhance

4. Create

The structure to the Impacts to Nature credit,

along with the minimum requirement, align with

this hierarchy.

This hierarchy was first established in our

Building with Nature paper available on our

website.

Ecological value is conserved and protected.

127







Outcome


Credit achievement Nature connectivity, Biodiversity enhancement, Waterway protection, Nature stewardship, Offsite restoration (Nature)


GRESB

√ √ √

Impacts to nature

The building must assess its ecological impacts, consider community and local stakeholder

expectations, and address impacts to nature from light, noise, water, vegetation and any other

relevant issues.

The project achieves this credit when they develop an Ecological Assessment Report that

demonstrates that existing natural soil, hydrological flows and vegetation elements have been

conserved.

The report must detail how ecological values will be protected including;

• Documenting the current, future and past ecological values on the site by type and biomass –

this includes terrestrial and aquatic ecological values, geologic features, soils (including

interaction with living things). When determining biodiversity value, the project must reference

local, regional, state and national priorities and strategies;

• The proportion of existing vegetated area being retained and the biodiversity value of this area;

• Identifying local and regional threats and mitigation requirements;

• Identifying how biodiversity has been considered within the project’s material supply chain;

• Listing active management strategies to be employed to protect the integrity of ecological

values throughout the project planning, construction and occupancy;

• Documenting the current community expectations, and outline risks and opportunities to

enhance the site; and

• Detailing consultation outcomes with local stakeholders including Aboriginal or Torres Strait

Islander groups and environmental groups.

Where the Ecological Assessment has identified areas of biodiversity value (local, regional, state

and national), the project must retain at least at least 50% of this area contiguously.

The project must then provide a narrative as to how the following impacts to nature and the

community have been mitigated:

• Light and noise pollution;

• Habitat disturbance and connectivity (deemed met if Biodiversity Enhancement and Nature

Connectivity credits achieved);

• On-site and downstream water quality (Deemed met if Waterway Protection credit achieved);

• Migratory paths of insects, birds or other species;

• Two local material issues appropriate to the project site (e.g. pest management and

groundwater); and

• Consideration must be given to these impacts during demolition, siteworks, construction, or

future occupation.


The Ecological Assessment Report must be prepared by an

experienced ecologist and signed off by the developer or

building owner.

This credit is a combination of the below credits

from Green Star – Design & As Built:

• Sustainable Sites

• Ecological Value

• Light pollution

The credit focuses on identifying and conserving

ecological values, and expands its remit to

consider direct and indirect impacts.

The credit addresses a broader subset of

impacts, rather than considering individual

issues separately. It means that it asks for

project teams to considers risks, and material

impacts, rather than a prescriptive list. The credit

also asks that these impacts be considered

during and after construction.

The issue of community expectations and

consultation with stakeholders such as local

Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander groups has

also been introduced. The credit recognizes that

while ecological value is a key measure, nature

has benefits to the community. These benefits

are oftentimes not recognised, and opportunities

to protect and even enhance them may be

missed.

The Nature category follows the below

hierarchy:


2. Restore

3. Enhance

4. Create

The structure to the Impacts to Nature credit,

along with the minimum requirement, align with

this hierarchy.

This hierarchy was first established in our

Building with Nature paper available on our

website.

Ecological value is conserved and protected.

128





Yes No



• Does the description of the plan articulate what is needed to achieve the credit?

• The credit is aimed at protecting biodiversity value. We have included a requirement

around area of valuable vegetation to be retained. Should we include a requirement

around area to protect? is this percentage reasonable? are there other ways/ metrics

that can be used to protect vegetation on site?

• What other guidance would you like to see?

• Do you agree with the requirement that the report be developed by an experienced

ecologist and signed off by the developer or building owner? Could someone else be

responsible for the assessment?

• Do you agree with the introduction of community expectations and engagement with

local stakeholders for the project?

• Are the impacts listed the appropriate ones for consideration? Should there be

others? Are there any impacts that should be mandatory to address in this credit?

(e.g. light pollution, habitat disturbance)

• Would this credit add value to previously developed sites? If not, how could it be

amended to provide value to those development?

• Should there be prescriptive criteria for smaller projects? If so, what should it be?

Impacts to nature

129







Outcome


Credit achievement Impacts to nature, Nature connectivity, Nature stewardship, Offsite restoration (Nature); Enjoyable places (Places); Human connection to nature (Healthy)


GRESB

√ √

Biodiversity enhancement

The building provides a diverse landscape, and prioritises the use of climate-resilient and

indigenous plants.

As a minimum, external landscape in the building, whether horizontal or vertical must be provided

at a ratio of either 15% of the site area or at a ratio of 1:500 of GFA, whichever is larger. Vertical or

horizontal landscapes are acceptable.

Greater than 60% of plants must be indigenous and the site must include at least one significant

(nesting) tree or equivalent habitat provision per 500m² of landscaped area. No invasive species

are allowed.

In addition, to promote plant diversity, landscapes should plant no more than any of the following:

• 10% of any species

• 20% of any genus

• 30% of any family

The project must detail how the choice of landscaping and biodiversity is resilient to climate

change impacts, thereby increasing the longevity and resilience of the landscape.

This credit is applicable to all building sectors, but is

especially relevant to projects where a significant ecological

value is present (as identified in EPBC Act).

It is recommended that, when designing landscaping, the

project engage with relevant local Aboriginal and Tores

Strait Islander groups.

The Nature category follows the below hierarchy:


2. Restore

3. Enhance

4. Create

The changes to the Impacts to nature credit, along with the Minimum expectation, align with this

hierarchy.

This hierarchy was first established in our Building with Nature paper available on our website.

Native plant communities support wildlife through geographically appropriate habitat creation.

Worldwide, the percentage of people living in urban areas will increase from 50% in 2010, to nearly

70% by 2050 (United Nations, 2015). Australia has one of the highest percentages of population living

in urban spaces, with 66% of people living in capital cities. This rapid and growing urbanisation has

placed significant stress on our ecosystems. The economic value of ecosystems and biodiversity

continues to be of increasing importance in the areas of social, environmental and economic

sustainability. Biodiversity loss generally results in long-term economic costs that are not adequately

reflected in conventional economic accounts. Cities ultimately depend on healthy ecosystems and

their components to sustain long-term conditions for life, health, good social relations and other

aspects of human well-being.

On-site landscapes which reflect the composition, density and function of local habitats are generally

more resilient as they are adapted to local climatic conditions and are also likely to be more pest and

disease resistant. Ecosystem resilience is the capacity of an ecosystem to respond to changes and

disturbances, yet retain its basic functions and structures. The resilience of ecosystems in Australia is

currently being reduced by a number of threats, including habitat loss, degradation and fragmentation,

invasive species, unsustainable use and management of natural resources and climate change. For

ecosystems to be resilient to these and other threats, they need a healthy diversity of individuals,

species and populations.

This credit aims to protect biodiversity and enhance ecosystem integrity through protection of existing

habitat, provision of landscape appropriate planting and creation of new habitat.

The building’s landscape enhances the biodiversity of the site.

130

https://new.gbca.org.au/green-star/green-star-strategy/building-nature/







Outcome


Exceptional performance Impacts to nature, Nature connectivity, Nature stewardship, Offsite restoration (Nature); Enjoyable places (Places); Human connection to nature (Healthy)


GRESB

√ √


The building’s landscape provision is larger, and includes native and endangered species.

As a minimum, external landscape in the building, whether horizontal or vertical must be provided at a ratio of either 30% of the site area or at a ratio of 1:300 of GFA, whichever is larger. Vertical or horizontal landscapes are acceptable.

Greater than 80% of plants must be indigenous and the site must include at least one significant (nesting) tree or equivalent habitat provision per 250m² of landscaped area. No invasive species are allowed.

The site preserves, restores and/or supports vulnerable ecosystem through planting critically endangered and/or endangered plant species which are native to the bioregion.

The project must detail how the choice of landscaping and biodiversity is resilient to climate change impacts, thereby increasing the longevity and resilience of the landscape.

Refer to Credit achievement for applicability and guidance. Refer to Credit achievement for rationale.

The building’s landscape enhances the biodiversity of the site.

131





Yes No



• Does the credit name reflect an approachable way of describing its goal? Do you

have other suggestions?

• In the Credit achievement, is the guidance for amount of landscaping appropriate for

a best practice building?

• Is the focus on diverse species planting appropriate?

• Is the requirement for a tree needed? Or is this requirement excessive?

• Should this credit require an assessment for climate change to be considered in the

choice of landscaping as proposed?

• What are your thoughts on the Exceptional performance requirements? Are they

appropriate for an exceptional performance metric?

• How should this credit consider landscape in the site that may be retained?


132







Outcome


Credit achievement Impacts to nature; Biodiversity enhancement; Offsite restoration, Nature connectivity (Nature); Verification and Handover (Responsible)

Goal 15 (Life on Land)

None

√ √ √

Nature stewardship

In order to claim this credit, the project must develop an Ecological Assessment Report in

accordance with the Impacts to nature credit.

The project must develop a Biodiversity Management Plan. The Plan should outline key actions

that need to be undertaken in order to maintain the ecological integrity of biodiversity on the site,

whether this is existing or that created as part of the development. The following key requirements

are recommended to be outlined in the Biodiversity Management Plan:

• The vision and objectives for the site’s biodiversity values;

• A description of the biodiversity baseline on-site;

• How impacts or threats to biodiversity on site post practical completion will be mitigated;

• Active and adaptive management strategies to be employed to protect ecological values

throughout the project planning, construction and occupancy;

• Actions to include the community (this includes building occupants) in efforts to maintain and

where possible enhance, the site’s biodiversity values. Examples include programming for

community participation in Landcare and citizen science activities, promotion of Indigenous

ecological knowledge;

• How success and implementation will be measured;

• Roles and responsibilities in the implementation of the Plan;

• Provision for update of the Biodiversity Management Plan where necessary;

• Links to national, state, regional and local biodiversity strategies;

• Consultation with relevant authorities and Traditional Owners.

The Plan must be included as part of the project's handover. A suitably qualified professional, such

as a qualified ecologist or experienced project manager, must prepare the Plan.


The credit applies across the lifecycle of the project. The

credit criteria should be considered during the design and

planning stage to determine an appropriate environmental

stewardship framework and for appropriate consultation to

be undertaken. To maximise sustainability outcomes, the

credit criteria should be met by the time construction

commences and throughout operations. However,

concession should be provided through construction to allow

for formal stewardship arrangements to be finalised.

This credit applies to all buildings but is especially relevant

to those where a significant ecological value is present (as

identified in EPBC Act) or where ecological values are

created and enhanced (See: Nature connectivity credit).

Given this, it is likely that the credit will be taken up more

frequently by certain development types on larger sites (e.g.

residential) than others (e.g. industrial).


Designing and delivering landscaping is one part of improving biodiversity outcomes. Many projects

include landscaping as part of their delivery. However, if there is no handover in information or overall

maintenance planning, these areas don’t achieve the biodiversity outcomes originally intended.

Additionally, these areas can become a source of contention with building owners and occupants and

the community, creating friction and push-back. The main concern noted by the community around

nature is maintenance (58%) and safety (45%) (Who’s with us, Green Spaces, Better Places). This

credit is being introduced into Green Star to recognise the importance of ongoing stewardship for

nature.

This credit not only seeks to introduce a mechanism, to think beyond the design and construction

process, it also outlines a process by which active engagement and participation by people in caring

for nature is encouraged.

Co-designed governance and management strategies ensure:

• agreed biodiversity values are managed throughout the project’s lifecycle;

• environmental management roles and responsibilities are understood;

• funding and resourcing are identified; and

• Indigenous ecological knowledge informs the management approach.

Governance structures are established to maintain ecological value.

133







Outcome


Exceptional performance Impacts to nature; Biodiversity enhancement; Offsite restoration, Nature connectivity (Nature); Verification and Handover (Responsible)


None

√ √ √

Nature stewardship

Awarded where a project can demonstrate formal stewardship of ecological values onsite and

within the project’s zone of influence (including any offsite restoration) in perpetuity through an

innovative funding and management mechanism. For example, management trust funded by

a portion of development sales.

Refer to Credit achievement for applicability & guidance. Refer to Credit achievement for rationale.

Governance structures are established to maintain ecological value.

134





Yes No



• Do you agree with the nature stewardship linking to active engagement with the

community and building occupants?

• What mechanisms do you think can be put in place during design and construction to

facilitate implementation of a Biodiversity Management Plan during building

operations?

• The intention of this credit is not to award a project that simply develops a plan. The

intent is to ensure resources and mechanisms are in place to implement these plans

during the operational life of the building. Do you see any barriers to achieving this?

In your opinion, what are the opportunities?

Nature stewardship

135







Outcome


Credit achievement Impacts to nature; Biodiversity enhancement; Nature stewardship; Offsite restoration (Nature)


None

√ √ √ √

Nature connectivity

The project must prepare an Ecological Assessment Report in accordance with the Impacts to

nature credit. This will form the basis of identifying areas of connectivity.

To be awarded this credit, the project must design for species connectivity through the site, and to

adjacent sites. This can be achieved in two ways:

• Landscaping - Where connectivity is being achieved through landscaping, this must be

contiguous with existing, restored and new habitats.

• Infrastructure - Design features such as a canopy bridge, wildlife tunnels, green roofs,

amphibian tunnels and green infrastructure is used to connect nature on site to adjacent

natural areas.

As a minimum requirement for habitat connectedness, each conservation area must be at least

185m2.

If the project sits within a blue or green grid strategy, it must contribute to the goals of the strategy.

This credit is applicable to all building sectors, but is

especially relevant to sites where a significant ecological

value is present (as identified in the EPBC Act).

Should a structure(s) cross habitats and/or protected areas,

it should be designed to minimise their impact on habitat

connectivity.

In this credit, green infrastructure is: networked green and

blue environmental features designed for environmental,

social and economic benefits.


This credit aims to protect and enhance ecosystems integrity through (terrestrial and aquatic)

connectivity.

With natural areas within urban areas being fragmented through buildings, infrastructure (like roads)

and vegetation removal, connecting these areas to allow movement of animals, pollination and

movement of vegetation is critical to maintaining and enhancing biodiversity.

Conservation areas, habitats and landscape which are connected to each other promote greater

biodiversity and support wildlife movement. Connectivity includes connectivity within a site and

connection between a site and adjacent areas.

As noted in the Greener Places Better Places document, What’s the Story?, biodiversity conservation

“…means looking beyond the site boundaries, identifying what the needs of the local area are to

encourage the regeneration of ecology (including mobile species and their connectedness to other

sites), and putting in places strategies to address this.”

This credited is targeted at achieving that aim.

Wildlife movement is facilitated within and adjacent to the site.

136





Yes No



• Do you agree that the Impacts to nature credit must be achieved to be eligible for the

Nature connectivity credit?

• Where the project sits within a blue or green grid strategy, it must contribute to or

connect to the grid. Are there any barriers to this that should be considered?

• Is this credit appropriate for all contexts?

Nature connectivity

137







Outcome


Credit achievement Impacts to nature, Biodiversity enhancement, Nature connectivity, Nature stewardship (Nature)


GRESB

√ √ √

Offsite restoration

The building has considered its impacts to nature, and undertaken measures to restore nature

beyond its site.

To be eligible for the Offsite restoration credit, the project must meet the Credit achievement in the

Impacts to nature credit.

The project must undertake activities that restore offsite biodiversity equivalent to the total GFA of

the development, or site area, whichever is greater.

The location of the land designated for the offsite restoration may not be on the project property, or

on land owned by the project owner, as these activities are covered by other aspects in the Nature

category.

Land for restoration must be within the project’s defined ‘zone of influence’ – that is, equivalent in

ecological value.

There are two pathways for achieving the credit:

1. The project owner restores an area offsite themselves

An accompanying Offsite Restoration Management Plan should be prepared by an experienced

project manager and/or ecologist, to detail how ecological values are to be enhanced and/or

restored including:

• What site was chosen and evidence of its purchase;

• Why the project chose that particular site, with details on how it falls within the projects 'zone of

influence';

• How the site for restoration is similar in ecological value to the development site;

• Validation of the offsite restoration approach by a suitably qualified independent ecologist or

similar professional;

• The timeframes for restoration; and

• Commitment to set-aside and manage the site land in perpetuity including on-going funding

provision.

The above information must be provided at time of submission to claim the credit.

2. The project owner supports an organisation that restores an area on their behalf

When this option is taken, the acquisition of the land and the restoration activities must be verified

by an independent third party. A narrative detailing the restoration activities must be provided,

including how the area for restoration falls within the projects 'zone of influence'.


This credit does not replace or reward formal regulated

offset requirements as covered by the Commonwealth’s

Environmental Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act

1999 environmental offsets policy, or other state and

territory offset regulations.

This credit applies to all sites but is especially relevant to

sites where there is minimal potential to achieve significant

biodiversity gains on-site. As such, the criteria apply across

all building and sector types. It is expected there will be

diverse benefits gained across development types.

Restoration activities

The range of possible offsite restoration actions may include

the following:

• Habitat improvement, restoration or expansion;

• Direct threat mitigation;

• Installation of artificial structures or habitats;

• Ecological recycling or re-use of natural materials;

• Re-introduction of species or natural processes; and

• Monitoring and benchmarking

Examples of partner

conservation/restoration organisaions include:

• Biodiversity Conservation Trust of NSW;;

• Bush Heritage Australia;

• Greening Australia;

• Landcare Australia;

• Queensland Trust for Nature;

• Nature Foundation SA;

• South Endeavour Trust;

• Tasmanian Land Conservancy; and

• The Nature Conservancy – Australia Program

Other organisations may be used, provided their activities

are verified by a third party.


It is widely accepted that it is not possible to mitigate all impacts on biodiversity associated with a

project thorough direct avoidance and minimisation measures or through on-site restoration,

particularly if considering the full impact on nature and biodiversity associated with a project’s footprint

and associated material supply chain. As such, for a project to achieve an overall net gain for

biodiversity, offsite restoration within a prescribed zone of influence will be required.

The Offsite restoration credit aims to recognise and reward projects that manage and mitigate

biodiversity values in in areas nearby to the site (and/or nearby to source of building materials)

through offsite restoration initiatives. These initiatives enhance or restore biodiversity through:

• Landscaping and other design solutions that create required habitat, including installing natural

and/or artificial hollows, perches and nesting sites in existing trees, to provide a safe place for local

wildlife.

• Regenerative restoration including direct planting, weed control and natural regeneration,

revegetation and other maintenance activities.

• Supporting employee time at an appropriate external bushland charity or initiative.

Players in the built environment have a remarkable potential to help restore biodiversity offsite. It is for

this reason that the Offsite restoration credit has been introduced.

Biodiversity is restored beyond the building site.

138





Yes No



• Should the Impacts to nature credit be a precondition to target the Offsite restoration

credit?

• Do you agree with the two pathways? Are they equivalent?

• Do you support the requirement for third party verification when an organisation

undertakes the offsite restoration on your behalf?

• Are the land area requirements reasonable?

• Are the requirements in the Offsite Restoration Management Plan reasonable? Is

there anything missing?

Offsite restoration

139







Outcome


Credit achievement Impacts from nature, Biodiversity enhancement (Nature); Water use (Positive); Climate change resilience, Systems resilience (Resilient)

Goal 14 (Life Below Water); Goal 13 (Climate Action)

None

√ √ √

Waterway protection

The building manages the volume of water leaving the site. The amount of pollutants in the water

leaving the site is reduced.

The building must show that its stormwater management solution addresses runoff volume and

water pollution reduction targets.

Runoff volume

The development must demonstrate an annual average flow reduction (ML/yr) of 40% compared

to pre-development levels.

Water Pollution

All runoff discharged from site meets specified pollution reduction targets listed in Table A below.

It is noted that some local governments may provide pre-determined infrastructure solutions that

are ‘deemed to comply’ with the aim of this credit criterion. If this is the case the project team shall

have this approach approved by the GBCA.

In circumstances where this credit specifies levels or targets that are less stringent than those

specified in relevant local legislation/regulations, the local legislation/regulations shall take

precedence.

Appropriate calculations must be undertaken by suitably qualified professionals. Any calculations

and assumptions must be outlined, easy to follow, and in accordance with common practice

protocols (see Guidance).

Date of Site Purchase

Where indicated, the requirements are applied to the state of the site that existed at the date of site

purchase. In cases where the site has been owned by the current owner for more than five years

(from the project’s Green Star registration date), the requirements are applied to the state of the

site that existed at least five (but not more than ten years) prior to the project’s Green Star

registration date.

This credit is applicable to all building sectors, as all

buildings create run off and have the capacity to hold

pollutants that may be carried offsite by runoff.

Runoff Volume

For some sites local drainage authorities may require

limitation of post-development peak event discharge from

the site. This is commonly called On Site Detention (OSD).

OSD is not an integrated water management solution for

Green Star purposes, but relevant local requirements should

also be integrated and included in the design and

submission documentation for consistency and buildability.

Typical Urban Annual Load

Typical urban annual loads can be estimated using

continuous simulation modelling such as MUSIC. Where

available, relevant guideline values for pollutant

concentrations for the catchment land use and surface type

should be used. In areas where there are no specific

guidelines reference can be made to sources such as

Australian Runoff Quality (ARQ, 2006).

Water Sensitive Urban Design

Water-sensitive urban design (WSUD) is a land planning

and engineering design approach which integrates the

urban water cycle, including stormwater, groundwater and

wastewater management and water supply, into urban

design to minimise environmental degradation and improve

aesthetic and recreational appeal.

Climate scenarios

If the project is targeting the Climate change resilience

credit, the Risk Assessment included in this credit

submission shall be used to determine the appropriate

climate change scenario. If the project is not targeting the

Climate change resilience credit, the project may refer to

local council flood level guidance.

Modelling

Pollutant export modelling using computer programs such

as MUSIC, STORM etc. predict the discharge pollutant

loads from a given area. The results of the simulation must

show a comparison against the relevant reduction targets

for the specified treatment system.

Total site area – The total of all area or areas as defined by

the legal surveyed lot/s.

The related Green Star - Design & As Built credit

falls under the Emissions category as the

Stormwater credit.

The credit’s aim has moved away from a focus

solely on stormwater to general runoff and water

pollution levels and their impact on natural

systems – hence its inclusion in the Nature

category.

There is an increased incentive to consider

green infrastructure and associated biodiversity/

natural system benefits as part of the stormwater

management system.

Improved runoff water quality and flow has

significant benefits to downstream ecosystems.

Integrating water sensitive design in building

design, construction and operations will minimise

volume, peak storm water outflows from the site

as well as reduce the potential for pollutants to

enter local water bodies. Integrated water

management, including reducing water

consumption through utilising run off for non-

potable uses, can support water neutral

operations for areas of high-water stress.

Water Sensitive Urban Design elements can

provide significant co-benefits to biodiversity and

other ecosystem services through native

landscaping as part of stormwater management

treatments and imitating or integrating natural

drainage/wetland systems in building design and

grounds.

Local waterways are protected, and the impacts of flooding and drought are reduced.

PollutantReduction Target (% of the typical urban annual load)

A B

Total Suspended Solids

(TSS)1 85% 90%

Gross Pollutants 90% 95%

Total Nitrogen (TN2) 45% 60%

Total Phosphorus (TP)2 65% 70%

Environmental

Management

Minimise the impact of chemical pollutants and other toxicants including by,

but not limited to, reduced site imperviousness and bunding and covering or

roofing of storage, loading and work areas.

140







Outcome


Exceptional performance Impacts from nature, Biodiversity enhancement (Nature); Water use (Positive); Climate change resilience, Systems resilience (Resilient)

Goal 14 (Life Below Water); Goal 13 (Climate Action)

None

√ √ √

Waterway protection

The building further manages the volume of water leaving the site. The amount of pollutants in the

water leaving the site is reduced further.

The building must show that its stormwater management solution addresses runoff volume and

water pollution reduction targets.

Runoff volume

The development must demonstrate an annual average flow reduction (ML/yr) of 80% compared

to pre-development levels.

Water Pollution

All runoff discharged from site meets specified pollution reduction targets listed in Table B below.

It is noted that some local governments may provide pre-determined infrastructure solutions that

are ‘deemed to comply’ with the aim of this credit criterion. If this is the case the project team shall

have this approach approved by the GBCA.

In circumstances where this credit specifies levels or targets that are less stringent than those

specified in relevant local legislation/regulations, the local legislation/regulations shall take

precedence. Appropriate calculations must be undertaken by suitably qualified professionals. Any

calculations and assumptions must be outlined, easy to follow, and in accordance with common

practice protocols (see guidance).

Date of Site Purchase

Where indicated, the requirements are applied to the state of the site that existed at the date of site

purchase. In cases where the site has been owned by the current owner for more than five years

(from the project’s Green Star registration date), the requirements are applied to the state of the

site that existed at least five (but not more than ten years) prior to the project’s Green Star

registration date.

Refer to Credit achievement for applicability and guidance. Refer to Credit achievement for changes. Refer to Credit achievement for rationale.

Local waterways are protected, and the impacts of flooding and drought are reduced.

PollutantReduction Target (% of the typical urban annual load)

A B

Total Suspended Solids

(TSS)1 85% 90%

Gross Pollutants 90% 95%

Total Nitrogen (TN2) 45% 60%

Total Phosphorus (TP)2 65% 70%

Environmental

Management

Minimise the impact of chemical pollutants and other toxicants including by,

but not limited to, reduced site imperviousness and bunding and covering or

roofing of storage, loading and work areas.

141





Yes No



• Do you support the shift from looking at stormwater to waterway protection?

• Are the pollution targets reflective of best practice?

• Would any other guidance for the credit be helpful?

Waterway protection

142


143







Outcome


Credit achievement All credits in Green Star for New Buildings

Goal 9 (Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure); Goal 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities)

Dependent on the type of leadership

√ √ √ √ √ √ √ √

Leadership in sustainability

To claim Leadership points under this credit one of the following two pathways must be achieved

to demonstrate leadership in sustainability.

Sector leadership

Sector leadership requires projects to demonstrate how a building solution or process is

considered leading in their targeted sector, nationally or globally.

This credit is not to be confused with sector specific credits but rather looks at projects that have

implemented solutions to not only demonstrate leadership and innovation, but also inspire change

within the sector.

Should the project develop a sector-specific credit that is endorsed and made available for public

use, they will be rewarded with a point under Sector Leadership.

Leading technology or process

To claim Leadership points through this pathway the project team must show that an initiative is

innovative by demonstrating that the technology or process is not commonly used within Australia's

building industry; or globally, depending on the context of the innovation claimed.

Leadership points are more likely to be awarded for projects that:

• Employ technologies or strategies that achieve an outcome in Green Star through significant

improvement or gains when compared against best practice technologies.

• Employ technologies or strategies that are new or adopted from other industries that achieve

the relevant Green Star outcome.


For both of these pathways a claim needs must be

submitted in order to achieve points for the Leadership in

Sustainability credit.

Assessing Leadership in sustainability

For both components, a Leadership in Sustainability

submission must be a concise report that clearly articulates

the nature and magnitude of the benefit achieved by

proposed initiative(s). The reports must state which

component reward is being claimed for, and distinctly justify

(and quantify whenever relevant) the sustainability benefits

of the initiative. Submissions that are purely qualitative

and/or unsupported by documented data will not be

rewarded in this credit.

For Sector leadership, the project must also provide:

• A description of how the initiative will encourage the

transformation of the industry.

• A description of how the initiative is or will be shared

widely in the industry

Previously in the Green Star - Design & As Built

rating tool there were the following credits:

• 30A Innovative Technology/Process

• 30B Market Transformation

• 30E Global Sustainability

The first two pathways have been incorporated

into this credit. Global sustainability has been

removed.

The Sector leadership pathway is a completely

new pathway but still holistically incorporates the

old credits from the Innovation category. This

pathway looks specifically at leadership within

particular sectors of the built environment. It

appreciates the nuances between building types

and seeks to reward best practice in each

distinct sector.

The Leading technology or process pathway

has stayed relatively the same with only slight

changes in the credit criteria. Technologies or

processes must now be leading at either a

national level or a global level.

30A Innovative Technology or Process has been

addressed under the Leading technology or

process pathway. A technology or process that is

leading at a state level is not included in this

credit achievement. To be considered a leader in

the sustainable built environment, projects must

go beyond leading within a state and achieve

national or global leadership.

30B Market Transformation has not been directly

addressed but rather absorbed into this credit as

a part of the overarching outcome to break

barriers and inspire others to follow. The reason

that it is no longer its own credit is due to the fact

that it is extremely difficult for an initiative used in

one building to transform the market. It is more

likely that only a contribution to market

transformation is achieved.

Finally the new addition of the Sector leadership

pathway has been included in order to push the

barriers but be specific to each sector. This is to

encourage the growth of different sectors and

reward those who are transforming their sector.

Celebrates initiatives or outcomes that are deemed new and break barriers, and in turn inspire others to follow.

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Yes No



• Do you agree with combining Market Transformation and Innovative Technologiesand Processes into one Leadership credit?

• Do you agree that projects should be rewarded if they develop a sector-specificcredit to be made accessible to all projects?

Leadership in sustainability

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Outcome


Credit achievement Leadership in sustainability (Leadership)

Goal 9 (Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure); Goal 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities); Goal 7 (Affordable and Clean Energy)

Dependent on the Innovation Challenge targeted

√ √

Innovation challenges

Innovation challenges can be targeted two ways:

1. Meet the requirements of the following innovation challenges identified by the GBCA:

• Upfront water consumption

• Circular economy

• Upfront impacts to nature

The above Innovation Challenges will be developed in the future.

2. Propose an innovation challenge to the GBCA. Innovation Challenges accepted by the GBCA

will be published on the website. Innovation Challenges must be proposed at the time of

registration.


An Innovation Challenge submission must contain concise

report that clearly articulates the nature and magnitude of

the benefit achieved by the proposed challenge. The reports

must state which innovation is being claimed for, and

distinctly justify (and quantify whenever relevant) the

sustainability benefits of the initiative. Submissions that are

purely qualitative and/or unsupported by documented data

will not be rewarded in this credit.

Each Innovation challenge will outline credit criteria and

necessary documentation requirements.

New Innovation Challenges

Please refer to the GBCA website for additional information

on applying for new Innovation Challenges, available here:

http://new.gbca.org.au/innovation-challenges/

Previously in Green Star - Design & As Built this

credit was referred to as 30D Innovation

Challenge.

All Innovation Challenges as of December 2019

have either been retired or incorporated into

Green Star for New Buildings.

Retired Innovation Challenges

• Integrating Healthy Environments

• Affordable Housing

• Social Enterprise for Affordable Housing

• Social Return on Investment

Incorporated Innovation Challenges

Challenges incorporated into the ‘Positive’

category:

• Powered by Renewables (Energy use)

• Responsible Carbon Impacts (Upfront

carbon emissions)

• Carbon Positive – New Buildings (Positive

category)

Challenges incorporated into the ‘People’

category:

• Culture, Heritage and Identity (Credit of the

same name)

• Occupant Engagement (Community

engagement)

• Reconciliation Action Plan (Culture, Heritage

and Identity)

• Universal Design (Design for Inclusion)

Challenges incorporated into the Places

category:

• Community Benefits (Enjoyable Places)

• Local Procurement (Socially Responsible

Construction Practices)

Challenges incorporated into the Responsible

category:

• High Performance Site Offices (Responsible

Construction)


• Upfront water consumption

• Circular economy

These will be developed in due course.

With the expansion of the Green Star for New

Buildings rating tool, many of the innovation

challenges in the Green Star - Design & As Built

rating tool have been incorporated into the

credits. This is in recognition of the advancement

of the built environment and its role in driving

sustainability.


The proposed innovation challenges ‘Upfront

water consumption’, ‘Circular economy’ and

'Upfront impacts to nature'' will be new additions

to the ‘Innovation Challenges’ portfolio. These

are currently new areas for industry without a

clear metric for measurement. These areas are

being proposed as challenges to promote their

importance as strategic and priority issues for

industry.

Promotes achievements in areas on the cusp of becoming leading practices in Australia.

146

http://new.gbca.org.au/innovation-challenges/





Yes No



• Do you agree that the current Innovation Challenges have been picked up in the

credits adequately? Are there any gaps?

• Are there any emerging strategic trends that should be considered for an Innovation

Challenge?

• Do you support the proposed Innovation Challenges to be developed in the future?

Innovation challenges

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General Feedback

Please add in comments you have about the categories in general:

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