Discussion Group – July

Most homes in Australia were built prior to the introduction of energy performance standards. This means homes that are hot in summer and cold in winter – pushing energy bills higher.

This month, we’ll hear from current and former Beyond Zero Emissions researchers about how electrifying homes can play a role in Australia’s clean economic recovery.

Simple retrofits could make millions of homes more energy-efficient and practically eliminate heating and cooling bills. Every home has the potential to generate its own renewable electricity, and even eliminate energy bills altogether. 

The Million Jobs Plan proposes a target of 2.5 million deep energy retrofits within five years – 500,000 home renovations per year prioritising low-income homes. This program would create up to 100,000 jobs per year.

Hear from our experienced presenters about how energy upgrades reduce greenhouse gas emissions – for example, minimising energy use and replacing household gas appliances with clean electric alternatives. Done well, homes made with green building materials and sustainable urban design can make healthier neighbourhoods and negate the urban heat island effect, keeping temperatures down in our suburbs during heat waves. Broader co-benefits of the buildings sector initiatives include the upskilling of thousands of construction workers to deliver high performing housing – this will set the industry up for delivering on a rapid trajectory to zero emissions across all new buildings and retrofits.