NABERS, the national performance-based rating system that measures the environmental performance of existing buildings, tenancies and homes, has released a new rating for warehouses and cold stores.
The tool can rate the energy efficiency of warehouses, cold stores, and combined facilities. It provides a benchmark to enable the industry to measure and manage industrial buildings more effectively, target higher energy efficiency standards and continuous emission reductions.
It also includes a waste verification report, designed for industrial buildings that want to report on their waste performance using a respected industry standard.
The rating was developed with funding and support from the federal Department of Climate Change, Energy, Environment and Water.
The new rating was launched last week, with an opening address from the assistant minister for climate change and energy, Jenny McAllister, and NABERS’ sector expansion lead Suruchi Pathak detailing the collaborative development process of the tool.
McAllister commented that the tool would help the national effort towards reducing emissions, stating that the launch of NABERS in these sectors would contribute to the effort of securing the future of our energy system, economy and climate.
NABERS director Carlos Flores, Colliers head of sustainability for real estate management services Lisa Hinde, Property Council’s national policy director Frankie Muskovic, and chief executive of the Energy Efficiency Council Luke Menzel, contributed to a panel discussion on the importance of a measurement tool in these sectors and the opportunity for emissions savings.
“In the last 12 months we’ve been working very closely with industry…. capturing a lot of data and input and insights, and your feedback was to create this NABERS tool for warehouses,” Mr Flores, NABERS director said.
“The launch of NABERS Energy for Warehouses and Cold Stores is the perfect example of industry and government working together to drive change at scale. We’re so excited to have a rating tool for the fastest-growing building sectors in Australia.”
The lodgement fee is discounted by 50 per cent for the first NABERS Energy rating for all warehouses or cold stores facilities until 29 September 2023.
