As national and state governments struggle with major sustainability issues, local governments can take practical action now – and green buildings are one way that councils can make a difference to the environment, the health and wellbeing of their communities, and their council coffers too.
Rising utility prices, tightening regulatory requirements and more stringent insurance risk assessments are driving demand for green buildings and placing pressure on local governments.
But there are a wide range of market forces pushing the transition too. Green buildings can increase productivity, improve health and worker satisfaction, and hold their value for longer than buildings constructed ‘the old way’.
Many of these issues will be explored from 4-7 March 2012, when Sydney plays host to the Asia Pacific’s largest green building conference, Green Cities 2012.
Engage with industry leaders on topical issues such as tailoring our cities to our increasing population density, when to engage in community consultation and rethinking the design of our cities to provide climate change and disaster resilience.
Keynote speaker, Dr Nils Kok from Maastricht University, will share his findings on the value of green buildings, which reveals that Green Star-rated buildings are delivering a 12 per cent ‘green premium’ in value and a five per cent premium in rent – right here in Australia.
As the demands on our communities continue to challenge us, the initiatives and strategies that local governments put in place now will shape the success of our future. In March 2012, think Green Cities.
*Copy supplied by Green Cities
