Key Role for EPDs in reshaped Australian Green Star System

29th May 2018

Planning for the next version of the Australian Green Star building environmental rating system has commenced. Due for release from 2020, it is proposed to include an increased focus on the environmental and social impacts of products and materials.

A key role is planned for Environmental Product Declarations (EPDs) and carbon neutral certified products, material and services.

This role is to assist in addressing embodied carbon in the Australian built environment. This will assist in reaching the Paris Agreement Targets oflimiting the world’s temperature increase to a 1.5oC.

A summary of the Proposed Green Star Future Focus has been prepared for product manufacturers and is available here.

The project is in its very early stages and the Green Building Council of Australia (GBCA) is eager to gain feedback and support from individuals and organisations with a stake in sustainable built environment.

Chair of the Australasian EPD Programme Stephen Mitchell attended the first consultation workshop in Sydney on 25 May which was also attended by EPD owner Liberty OneSteel’s Phil Ridgeway and a range of consultants and property industry representatives.

“A separate consultation session is planned for product suppliers, but I would encourage all Australasian EPD owners to read the discussion paper and engage with the process before then. The Green Star system plays a key role in making our buildings more socially and environmentally sustainable. It is important that the science-based transparency and credibility that EPDs provide is embedded in an improved rating system” said Mr. Mitchell.

Green Star is Australia’s the leading national environmental rating system for buildings and communities. Developed by the GBCA the system has to date been used to assess 1,715 projects nationally.