Reducing greenhouse emissions

Reducing greenhouse emissions from Australian buildings is the focus of a new two-year research project by two leading Curtin academics.

World renowned Professor of Sustainability, Peter Newman and Dr Sandy Bond, Senior Lecturer in Property Studies at Curtin Business School (CBS), are working on the project titled, 'Drivers and barriers to sustainability in residential and commercial buildings'.

Professor Newman said the research was very timely with the Federal Government's commitment to Australia's internationally agreed target of limiting greenhouse gas emissions.

Alarming new statistics from the Green Building Council of Australia show buildings account for at least 23 per cent of Australia's greenhouse gas emissions.

The study will look at ways of increasing sustainability practices to improve building performance and reduce greenhouse emissions, and will include a focus on determining the economic value of the certification of "green commercial buildings".

Professor Newman is Director of the Curtin University Sustainability Policy (CUSP) Institute in Fremantle, and on the Board of Infrastructure Australia.

Dr Bond from the School of Economics and Finance within CBS specialises in the impact assessment of environmental detriments on property values and is best known for her research on the assessment of stigma associated with contaminated land.

CBS Research Associate, Shane Campbell, is assisting on the $100,000 project funded by the Australian Research Council.