Content detail on certification
The NABERS and GBCA ratings are a benchmark for environmentally conscious developments, and at Watpac we strive to ensure those benchmarks are a focus of all our projects.
NABERS
NABERS (the National Australian Built Environment Rating System) is a national initiative managed by the New South Wales Department of Environment and Climate Change. It is a performance-based rating system for existing buildings, while it also incorporates the Australian Building Greenhouse Rating (renamed ‘NABERS Energy for offices’).
NABERS rates a building on the basis of its measured operational impacts on the environment, and provides a simple indication on how well a company is managing these environmental impacts, compared to the competition.
The factors NABERS assess include:
- energy efficiency
- greenhouse and ozone depletion potential
- water use
- stormwater run-off and pollution
- sewage
- landscape diversity
- transport
- indoor air quality
- occupant satisfaction
- waste and toxic materials
For more information about NABERS, visit www.nabers.com.au
Green Star Ratings
According to Green Building Council of Australia (GBCA) figures, buildings have a significant impact on the environment, responsible for the consumption of 32 per cent of the world’s resources. This includes 12 per cent of its water, and up to 40 per cent of the world’s energy resources. They also state that buildings produce 40 per cent of waste going to landfill, and 40 per cent of air emissions.
The GBCA established the Green Star rating system to evaluate the environmental design and achievements of buildings. It is a comprehensive, national, voluntary environmental rating scheme, developed to set a standard of measurement for green buildings, and raise awareness about their benefits.
There are nine categories included within all Green Star rating tools.
These categories are:
- management
- indoor environment quality
- energy
- transport
- water
- materials
- land use and ecology
- emissions
- innovation
A 4 Star Green Star Certified Rating signifies ‘Best Practice’, while a 5 Star Green Star Certified Rating represents ‘Australian Excellence’. The best possible rating is a 6 Star Green Star Certified Rating, indicative of ‘World Leadership’.
As a GBCA member, Watpac continues to work towards and support their goals of conducting business in an environmentally responsible manner.
For more information on Green Star ratings, visit www.gbca.org.au