A letter to Climate Change Minister Simon Watts and Building and Construction Minister Chris Penk is urging the
government to commit to energy labels on homes and buildings – similar to those required on domestic appliances, and to
commit to MBIE’s Building for Climate Change programme aimed at improving building standards to slash the industry’s
emissions.
The letter is signed by 50 industry bodies and companies including BRANZ, CIBSE, Engineering NZ, New Zealand Institute
of Architects, Sustainable Business Council, Infrastructure New Zealand, and the New Zealand Green Building Council
(NZGBC).
“The second Emissions Reduction Plan is a massive opportunity to help slash the built environment’s 20% contribution to
New Zealand’s emissions,” says Andrew Eagles, NZGBC chief executive.
“There’s overwhelming support for transforming the way we design, construct and operate our buildings. Not only can it
help Aotearoa meet our climate obligations, but more efficient buildings reduce running costs for Kiwi families and
businesses, while also taking pressure off our struggling electricity grid. The sector has invested significantly in
preparation for these changes.”
The letter calls out two policies in particular:A commitment to implement the Building for Climate Change programme delivering substantially lower operational and
embodied carbon emissions by the early 2030s.Implementing energy transparency labels on new homes and buildings, and existing commercial buildings from 2026. This
will enable the market to see which buildings cost less to run, and incentivise greater efficiency.
“Unlike other sectors, the knowledge and technology already exist to massively reduce our sector’s carbon footprint. We
know internationally from the likes of the UK, US, and throughout the EU, that regulatory change is vital for impactful
climate action. All we need is some leadership and smart policy from the Government.”
A recent NZGBC report found improving buildings could save New Zealand almost $40 billion and slash emissions equivalent to taking half our
country’s petrol cars off the road by 2050.
“Importantly, these policies would be quick to implement, are already supported by the sector, and can have a massive
impact straight away. Given we’re at risk of falling far short on our 2030 climate obligations, the Government would be
mad not to take them up.”
The signatories to this letter represent the largest and most influential businesses and professional bodies in New
Zealand’s building and construction sector, and make a significant contribution to our country’s economy, employing
hundreds of thousands of hard-working Kiwis.
“The construction sector is proud of the progress made on decarbonising the sector to date. We are keen to build on this
progress and accelerate decarbonising. To move forward we need Government to make some smart steps and to send clear
signals of their support of the sector and commitment to decarbonising. Along with the other signatories NZCIC calls for
this Government to improve the Building Code and energy labels so there are consistent methodologies to measure and
reduce emissions,” says Tommy Honey, Executive Director, NZ Construction Industry Council
The letter is signed byANZ Bank New ZealandArgosy Property LimitedArchitectural Designers of New ZealandAssociation of Consulting and EngineeringBraveGenBrewer Davidson LimitedBuilding Industry FederationBuilding Research Association of New Zealand (BRANZ)Carbon and Energy Professionals New Zealand (CEPNZ)CBRE New Zealand LimitedChartered Institution of Building Services EngineersCheops HoldingsColliersConcrete NZConstruction Industry CouncilDesigners Institute of New ZealandDownerEagle LightingEngineering NZFacilities Managers Association of New ZealandGreen GorillaHawkinsHERAInzide Commercial LimitedInfrastructure New ZealandJasmaxJLLKwanto LimitedLT McGuinness LimitedMcKee-Fehl Constructors LimitedMetals NZMindful MoneyNew Zealand Green Building Council (NZGBC)NZ Institute of BuildingPassive House Institute of New ZealandProfile GroupPure AdvantageRDT Pacific LimitedRubix LimitedSustainable Business CouncilSustainable Business Network (SBN)Sustainable Steel CouncilTe Herenga Waka – Victoria University of WellingtonTe Kāhui Whaihanga New Zealand Institute of Architectsthinkstep-anzTonkin + TaylorUniversity of AucklandWarren and Mahoney Architects LimitedWaste Management New Zealand LimitedWindow and Glass Association of New Zealand