[+] Learning Curve: Education Facilities to Build Greener Pastures

NABERS ratings have helped to transform the commercial sector towards a greener future—and it has now shifted its focus to education facilities, which could boost the values of assets and spur private sector investment in the asset class. The built environment generates nearly 50 per cent of annual global carbon emissions. Of those total emissions, building operations are responsible for 27 per cent, while building materials and construction (typically referred to as embodied carbon) are responsible for an additional 20 per cent each year. JLL head of strategic consulting David Brown says while the NABERS schools scheme will be voluntary it could add cost. But it also presents an opportunity. “Private schools are more informed regarding leasing schools sites/buildings. The development industry will want to be more involved – this may present an opportunity for more third party ownership,” Brown says. Cushman and Wakefield’s head of sustainability in Australia Gehan Palipana says the move could generate higher valuations of assets and reduce running costs. “There are a range of studies that have demonstrated that buildings with high green building ratings tend to command a premium in valuations and rental yield,” Palipana says. “Schools obviously differ from commercial buildings in that they are sold less frequently, but the school rating tool should assist with benchmarking the energy performance and associated costs of running the facilities and benefit those schools with higher ratings.” The NABERS challenge NABERS for schools will be voluntary. A pilot phase will test the final NABERS for schools rating tool in mid-2023, followed by a full release for all schools according to NABERS director Carlos Flores. “We are in the early phases of engaging with public and private schools, and collecting energy, emissions and water use data across the sector,” Flores says. “Once data has been collected: benchmarks, certification rules and the NABERS star rating will allow schools to measure their environmental impact, to compare their footprint against other schools, and to set targets for improvement.” ▲ A render of a space inside the Green Square Public School, designed by BVN. NABERS ratings are conducted by accredited assessors. A school-specific program will be used to train school assessors for education facilities across the country. “Getting data from across all geographies, school sizes and characteristics is a top priority in the phase of the project we are at right now,” Flores said. “This will allow us to provide results that are more relevant to all schools, which recognises that schools in metropolitan areas can be quite different to those in regional areas. “We are working to create a great rating tool that works for all schools, no matter where they are located.” Cushman and Wakefield’s Gehan Palipana believes NABERS ratings will pave the way for net zero schools. “We do believe that it could play a big role in net zero ratings, as it does for offices,” Palipana says. “NABERS for schools could be used as a pathway to climate active carbon neutral certifications, and energy efficiencies and electrification projects could more easily be justified and rewarded through higher ratings outcomes. “Overall, most schools have significant room for improvement … electrification opportunities for things like generators and gas boilers [would] help reduce scope 1 emissions and position the schools for net zero or decarbonisation targets.” Designing a greener future BVN architect Phil Rowden says each facility will require a unique solution to lift environmental performance due to the varied nature of built forms and typologies. “Currently, minimum standards are largely dictated by the expertise of the services professional working on individual projects. With the integration of elevated environmental standards, more schools buildings will be to a higher minimum standard,” Rowden says. “Each building is unique within education typologies, with learning spaces being accompanied by specialist learning areas such as labs, arts, sports and library spaces amongst other different types of buildings. ▲ The Brisbane State Secondary School, designed by BVN. “Within Australia, fully naturally ventilated buildings are challenging, however, mixed mode systems can be successful to enable a building to have the capacity for using natural ventilation when possible, but ensuring a mechanical system is assessable when required to ensure thermal comfort is of primary importance.” Schools and education facilities require a flexible approach to population changes, heating and cooling, and uses, with operational energy demands providing the biggest pinch point in the shift to greener learning institutions. Rowden says close collaboration in design and engineering will be key to education assets achieving net zero performance outcomes. “The more successful outcomes occur with close collaboration with services engineers to ensure high standards in the performance of mechanical systems. Aside from services, the specification and detailing of the thermal envelope is critical to improve energy performance,” Rowden says. “NABERS ratings will enable a consistent minimum requirement for environmental performance applied to the education sector. This will ensure that the procurement of all school projects will enforce elevated environmental standards for energy, water, waste and indoor environmental quality.” NABERS director Carlos Flores says the aim of the program is to encourage schools to tackle their “sustainability journey”. “We can help them set targets to reduce energy use, water use and emissions every year, and to help them be recognised by their communities for their environmental achievements,” Flores says “We can provide a mechanism for schools to easily tap into the financial incentives for energy efficiency that are already available in states like South Australia, Victoria and New South Wales.” With increasing focus on a net zero built environment, education facilities are the next frontier for sustainable building practices. You are currently experiencing The Urban Developer Plus (TUD+), our premium membership for property professionals. Click here to learn more.

[+] Learning Curve: Education Facilities to Build Greener Pastures

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