Who is a 3CBDs Signatory
Worldwide 33 per cent of energy use is in buildings. In Australia, the commercial property sector uses around $4 billion worth of energy each year and is responsible for 8.8 per cent of national greenhouse gas emissions. It has the fastest growth of emissions of any sector. This is set to double to 62 million tonnes of CO2 by 2010 unless action is taken.
Commercial office tenants account for almost 50 per cent of the electricity consumed in office buildings. 60 per cent of the total energy demand in central business districts is attributed to stationery energy usage, which includes office equipment, lighting and computers.
3CBDs Signatories are committed to significantly reducing their greenhouse gas emissions of their office, and providing environmental leadership to the business community and their staff. They are from a variety of industry sectors, including property, insurance, law, banking, investment and energy, and are amongst the most influential and prestigious in Australia.
3CBDs Signatories
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Achieving the 3CBDs Commitment
The annual 3CBDS Progress Report – Executive Briefing, at which Signatories report back to the Initiative on how they are progressing towards achieving the 3CBDs Commitment, was held on 1 November 2007.
The following businesses have reached or exceeded their 3CBDs target ratings.
Colliers International: An inaugural member of the Initiative achieved 5 star ratings in its tenancies in North Sydney, Parramatta and the City of Sydney and is working to achieve similar results in its national offices.
Department of Water & Energy: Achieved a 5 star ABGR.
DTZ: Achieved a 5 star ABGR, which was ½ a star higher than their 3CBDs Commitment rating.
Ebsworth & Ebsworth Lawyers: Undertook the Investa Greenhouse Guarantee, through Energy Conservation Systems and Investa Property Group, implementing energy conservation measures their office space achieving 4 star ABGR ratings, with a reduction in greenhouse throughout gas emissions of at least 133 tonnes per annum.
Energetics: Achieved a 5 star ABGR.
ENVIRON Australia: Maintained their 5 star ABGR rating through the use of 100 per cent GreenPower. Due to their tenancy size, ENVIRON undertake a self assessment annually. They have recently relocated into a 4.5 star building in their endeavours to improve energy efficiency.
Investa Property Group: Investa has a 5 star Commitment Agreement with DECC. The tenancy continues to perform better than predicted with energy use to date indicating it is 30% under the 5 star ABGR energy use budget.
Jones Lang LaSalle: Achieved their baseline ABGR commitment of 4 stars.
Lend Lease: Achieved their baseline ABGR commitment of 5 stars.
Westpac: Maintained their 5 star ABGR commitment in their Sydney and Parramatta premises.
The 3CBDs Progress Report Snapshot (PDF 5,951kb) provides a summary of the Initiative's collective and individual achievements.
Innovation and promotion
Central to the success of the Initiative is its ability to engage cooperation, acceptance and implementation of energy efficiency.
As part of their 3CBDs Commitment, Signatories promote energy efficiency to our staff, customers and suppliers and share our experience with other Initiative participants.
This promotion positions them as environmental leaders, and positively demonstrates to staff and the wider business community just how simple and effective energy efficiency is.
A range of innovative internal communications and staff education programs are used by Signatories to communicate the need and way to reduce energy consumption, and the importance of whole-of-organisation involvement.
Promotional initiatives used include:
- staff education programs shown via internal television broadcast facilities
- posters and stickers around the office to remind staff to turn off lights when not needed
- display of the 3CBDs Commitment Certificate verifying their commitment to the Initiative
- climate change forums and events for staff and clients.
Since joining the 3CBDs Greenhouse Initiative, many Signatories have launched programs to assist their tenants to increase energy efficiency and decrease their greenhouse contribution.
Leading examples are Mirvac’s MATES Program (Mirvac and Tenants Environmental Sustainability) and the Investa Greenhouse Guarantee, an energy efficiency initiative for tenants.
*DECC: Figures based on 2.5 star ABGR, 805m² average tenancy in Sydney's CBD, 50hrs p/week occupancy, 18m² p/person, 8.91 floors per average office building.
