The National Australian Built Environment Rating System (NABERS) has released its five-year strategic plan.

NABERS is a national government program that values, rates and leads Australia’s built environment sustainability efforts.

Since the release of NABERS previous five-year strategic plan in 2013, Australia has signed the Paris Agreement, and several states, territories and local governments have set targets to reach net zero carbon emissions by 2050.

NABERS spokesperson Carlos Flores said the plan was developed to make future Australian buildings healthy, comfortable and without any environmental impact.

“Stakeholders including the Property Council of Australia and the Energy Efficiency Council were virtually unanimous in their endorsement with 96 per cent of respondents surveyed during consultation supporting the plan,” he said.

“The plan also includes goals for decisions and work plans so every major building type can be rated by NABERS, while NABERS ratings are expected to double by getting more building owners involved and improving the current rating tools.”

Developed over a 15-month period in consultation with the NABERS Steering Committee and stakeholders, the NABERS strategic plan includes two goals; every major building type can be rated by NABERS and to double the number of ratings.

Currently, the rating system is only available in six sectors of the built environment, with major parts of the economy unable to participate in the program.

Over the next five years, the system will make efforts to significantly expand into every major building type in Australia where there is a demonstrated major gap in building performance such as schools, industrial buildings, retail stores and, healthcare buildings.

NABERS will also work to expand the number of businesses and organisations actively working to become more sustainable, by doubling the number of ratings they certify.

During the consultation period, 96 per cent of NABERS survey respondents completely supported or mostly supported NABERS vision of everyone living, working and playing in a sustainable place, while 94 per cent completely supported or mostly supported the mission; all Australian buildings are healthy, comfortable and have zero environmental impact.

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