For Australia to reach net-zero emissions by 2050, major changes are needed to how buildings are designed and operated, with the retail, healthcare and real estate sectors singled out for overhaul, writes Charlotte Wentz.
Leading experts warn that Australian buildings require a drastic transformation in how they are designed, constructed and operated if the nation is to achieve net-zero carbon emissions by 2050, singling out major infrastructure changes in the retail, healthcare and real estate sectors.
Speaking at Schneider Electric’s Innovation Summit in Sydney on 14 March, 2023, Louise Monger, vice president of the company’s Digital Buildings division, outlined how buildings contribute 40 per cent of global emissions and that a major rethink is required to reduce their environmental impact, including pivoting towards green infrastructure to combat rising energy costs.
“Buildings are contributing to 40 per cent of global emissions, meaning they are a major contributor to the current climate crisis we are trying to tackle,” Monger told attendees at the summit.
“We need to rethink the way we are designing and operating our buildings if we have any hope of reaching our 2050 target for net zero.
“The switch to more sustainably efficient buildings won’t happen overnight, but it has started. It’s a dramatic change that will take many years to fully implement, however it is a crucial step to take, particularly for businesses actively trying to achieve their own emissions goals.”
Monger said the transition to smart buildings and prioritising sustainability over functionality are key pillars of this seismic shift.
“Just like we saw with COVID-19 accelerating Australia’s digital transformation, we are now seeing the issue with rising global energy costs having that same impact on sustainability,” she said.
Monger told the summit that breaking down the silos in the relationship between building owners, managers and occupants is paramount for sustainable operations across a portfolio of properties.
“Five years ago, the real estate sector was focused on making the smartest building with the latest technology, however without a consistent approach and architecture [across a portfolio] it becomes difficult to manage,” she said.
Retail operations such as petrol stations, chain stores and supermarkets need to better understand their environmental footprint and energy usage, especially in relation to how widely dispersed premises can be, and the volume of traffic within them.
“Given the size of Australia and how far and widespread our retail is, retailers need to begin thinking how they can manage and control their assets remotely,” said Monger. “Utilising Internet of Things and connected devices has the power to drive efficiency across geographically dispersed portfolios.
“Five years ago, the cost of change was a large prohibitor for many companies. However, inflation is driving the need for greater operational efficiency, and sustainability targets are creating the requirement for sustainability reporting so investment in this technology is becoming not just viable but an absolute necessity in Australia.”
Monger believes all-electric hospitals, supported by integrated digital systems, will be the biggest enabler to help the healthcare industry reach net zero.
“We are already seeing a huge shift to sustainability across the healthcare industry – so much so that it is catching up to real estate and other areas that have been on this journey for a considerably longer period of time,” she said, adding it is essential healthcare facilities develop strategies for electrification and digitalisation – moving away from gas – within the next two years to enable flexible and resilient services, improve patients’ experience, and enhance staff productivity and sustainability.
“If we are to achieve net zero, these decisions need to be taken today,” added Monger. “It will be challenging and there will be hurdles, however the removal of non-electric sources such as gas from Australian buildings is critical.
“It’s complex, but the time to start envisioning a generation without dirty power is now.”