The City of Sydney has unanimously endorsed controls that require new buildings and major developments to be net-zero in energy use by 2026.
Effective from January 2023, the controls will require new developments to reduce emissions through increased energy efficiency, onsite renewable energy production, and offsite renewable energy procurement.
New hotels, offices, shopping centres and similar large redevelopments will need to comply with minimum energy ratings and achieve net-zero energy use from 2026.
The changes are intended to ensure the City of Sydney’s buildings are part of the broader transition to net-zero emissions by 2035.
“Commercial office space, hotels and apartment buildings contribute 68 percent of total emissions in the City,” explained lord mayor Clover Moore. “If we’re to meet our target of net-zero emissions by 2035, we need the building sector to play its part.”
Moore also said the incorporation of offsite renewable energy purchases is a first for local planning controls in Australia, as is the inclusion of energy efficiency and renewable energy targets in development applications.
These steps by City of Sydney are consistent with the objectives to make the Greater Sydney region a low carbon and broader net-zero electricity strategy across the state.
