Sustainability Resources
Sustainability Legal Updates
30 September 2011
Environmental Upgrade Agreements
Mary Digiglio, partner at SWAAB Attorneys, and PFA have prepared a report explaining the purpose and meaning of Environment Upgrade Agreements.
Click her to download a PDF copy of the report
22nd April 2011
CBD Legislation
Mary Digiglio, partner at SWAAB Attorneys recently gave a presentation at the Australian Property Institute on CBD legislation.
Click here to view the full presentation.
22nd April 2011
IAS 137 - Accounting for the damage
The proposed IAS 137 is forcing finance chiefs to rethink how they manage their liabilities for cleaning up contaminated land - and at least one company is ready with a solution.
Click here to read the full article
14th December 2010
Building Energy Efficiency Update
The Commercial Buildings Mandatory Disclosure Regime has undergone amendments, effective 29 November 2010, related to mixed use buildings and refurbishments. The Local Government Amendment (Environmental Upgrade Agreements) Bill 2010 facilitates a financing mechanism for building owners to implement major long term energy efficiency upgrades to buildings.
Click here for further information
Low Carbon Australia helping your competitive advantage
There is no better time for business and industry to take steps to improve the energy performance of their buildings and operations, helping reduce costs and become energy smart and carbon savvy.
Investing in building retrofits, smarter new energy technologies and industry process upgrades is critical for long-term sustainability and positioning for the low carbon economy. This can help Australian business retain competitive advantage and will also be kinder to the environment.
Low Carbon Australia is ready right now to provide business with clean energy finance in the form of loans, equipment leases and capital for equipment which will upgrade the efficiency of their operations or buildings. This offers a smart way for business to take advantage of new energy savings technologies like LED lighting and highly efficient heating and cooling equipment through to advanced co-gen and tri-gen projects.
Low Carbon Australia has announced a new Request for Proposals looking for investment ready projects which have undergone the appropriate feasibility studies. Projects could include but are not limited to the office and retail sector; distribution and warehousing industries; education and health; manufacturing; leisure and community sectors as well as local government.
The deadline for proposal submissions is 5pm on 30th September 2011.
More information on the Request for Proposals can be found at:
http://www.lowcarbonaustralia.com.au/Request for Proposals
Low Carbon Australia Fact Sheet
Low Carbon Australia E3 Leaflet
API/PFA - Building Better Returns Research Report
Research commissioned by the Australian Property Institute (API) and the Property Funds Association of Australia (PFA) is the first major Australian study to assess the added value of green office buildings in their financial performance. The research was undertaken by the University of Western Sydney (UWS) and the University of Maastricht, Netherlands in conjunction with Jones Lang LaSalle and CBRE.
The report identifies the future challenges and opportunities for the green office building agenda in Australia and provides the economic rationale for sustainable property investment and development.
Sponsors of the project are NAB and Brookfield Multiplex (Platinum Sponsors), Johnson Controls and Verdigris Capital (Gold Sponsors) and Cbus and Local Government Super (Supporting Sponsors).
Additional information: Building Better Returns Research Report (2386k)
API/PFA Seminar - Building Better Returns
API/PFA recently ran a seminar in Sydney and Melbourne on Building Better Returns which was presented by Dr Nils Kok, co-author of the ground breaking US study Doing Well by Doing Good.
The main topics of discussion were:
- Latest update on the US study
- Discussion on emerging global trends
- Sustainability credentials that international institutional investors are looking for
- Views on the development of the sustainability/investment sector and the future drivers
- What is happening in the Australian context - an overview of the Austrlian Research being undertaken by the University of Western Sydney and Maastricht University in conjunction with CBRE and JLL - "Building Better Returns?"
Click here to view the presentation by Nils Kok - Building Better Returns
Click here to view the presentation by IPD - Green Property IndexTax Breaks for Green Building Consultation
PFA have recently submited a submission to the Department of Climate Change and Energy Efficiency (DCCEE).
For further information and to view the full submission, please click here.
Commercial Building Disclosure
The CBD website gives the latest information from the Government about the Commercial Building Disclosure program.
From 1 November 2010 most sellers or lessors of office space of 2,000 square metres or more will be required to obtain and disclose an up-to-date energy efficiency rating.
Click here to view the CBD website.
The A-Z of Property Sustainability
From ABGR to WGBC and everything about sustainability and commercial property in between. Here's PFA's new A-Z Guide to sustainability. What exactly are absorption chillers? What's tri-generation? What does "ESG" stand for? What's "FTSE 4 Good"? All the major acronyms, government programs and funding bodies are defined here, with links for further reading. A product of the ADPIA Sustainability Committee.
Click here to download a copy of the PFA A-Z of Property Sustainability
While the opportunities associated with embracing sustainability may have been overlooked previously (with the belief that it is just an “additional cost”), recent research and emerging industry response has confirmed there can be substantial benefits for investing in property with strong sustainability criteria. Such benefits may include:
- Greater returns
- Tighter yields
- Better lease covenants
- Rent premium
- Lower outgoings
- Long-term security
Education segments and sustainability market updates will be posted on this website regularly and PFA undertakes to further educate members on emerging sustainability trends via the annual conference and other forums as required.
Reports
UN Global Compact-Accenture CEO Study 2010
PRI (Principals for Responsible Investment) Report
Property & Sustainability Report
Drapac Sustainability Presentation
ADPIA Mandatory Disclosure of Office Building Energy Efficiency
Links
Australian Conservation Foundation
Australian Sustainable Built Environment Council
Department of Environment and Climate Change NSW
Green Building Council of Australia
ICLEI Local Governments for Sustainability
National Australian Built Environment Rating System
National Centre for Sustainability
Responsible Investment Association Australasia
The Sustainable Living Foundation
The Wilderness Society
UN Global Compact
Vancouver Valuation Accord
Wuppertal Institute for Climate, Environment and Energy
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The Fifth Estate provides news and networking on sustainable property in Australia. By and for passionate people and motivated companies who are determined to harness the power of the built environment to save the planet.
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