24 February 2010 Setting a green benchmark for New Zealand buildings

Research shows that the built environment accounts for 40 percent of the world's electricity consumption. This can put immense strain on often limited energy resources.

While New Zealand generates 72 percent of its electricity from renewable sources, and so hasn't faced the same urgency to adopt sustainable practices, there are limited opportunities to expand existing renewable energy assets.

The New Zealand Government has indicated a desire to focus on climate change and energy use and has been promoting energy efficiency as a way to reduce growth in electricity demand.

Associate Professor John McDonagh in Property Studies at Lincoln University, is conducting a study to identify trends in electricity consumption in New Zealand office buildings by analysing data from the Property Council of New Zealand from 1990 to 2008.

“Efficiency policies relating to office buildings have recently been proposed, but little research has been carried out on this sector in New Zealand,” he says. “This research project looked at more than 400 buildings in Auckland, Hamilton, Wellington and Christchurch, to help establish a baseline against which future energy efficiency initiatives can be assessed.”

Associate Professor McDonagh says the management of property is essentially about managing the resources of the land sustainably for the economic, social and cultural benefit of people.

“A greater emphasis on sustainably and efficiently managing our scarce land resources is required in New Zealand,” he says. “This will benefit the country economically by sustaining our clean green image, reducing our carbon footprint and making a positive contribution to reducing the impact of global climate change.

“New Zealand needs to look at following world trends and developing a set of ratings for commercial energy consumption,” he says.

Associate Professor McDonagh says support is gathering in New Zealand for sustainable building practices.

“Tenants are becoming more conscious of their public image and what their tenure of a particular building says about the culture of the organisation,” he says. “There is a global trend towards businesses looking to base themselves in green buildings.

“Green star ratings are also becoming more desirable, but they only rate buildings that have applied to be part of the scheme. Businesses need to start focusing on total occupancy costs and realise there are economic as well as social benefits associated with green buildings,” he says.

Associate Professor McDonagh says the greening of New Zealand's buildings will be a slow process because buildings themselves have very long life-spans. His findings have been presented at the European Real Estate Conference.

Project: Sustainable Property Management in New Zealand

Researcher: John McDonagh