Powering our Urban Future: Supporting Renewable Energy Solutions and Recouping ROI

Innovation in clean energy technology is essential for Australia’s continued economic advancement and environmental wellbeing.

Cities consume over two-thirds of the world’s energy and produce more than 70 per cent of global CO2 emissions.

Once buzzwords, today “sustainability” and “going green” mean both serious environmental and financial business.

Leading sustainable designs are also being recognised. Just last week, Lendlease's Barangaroo South and New Zealand's Aorangi House were awarded as co-winners in Leadership in Sustainability Design and Performance by the World Green Building Council.

While Australia has pledged to cut emissions by 2030, without the business world on board Verdia general manager David Muir says this target won't be achieved.

As an expert panellist at this year's Urbanity ’18, Muir will reveal the practical steps that can be implemented in both new and existing buildings to improve long-term return on investment while reducing your carbon footprint.

Related reading: Vicinity Rolls Out Australia’s Largest Property Solar Program

Verdia currently works with 35 of the top 200 energy users in Australia, this figure responsible for 45 per cent of the nation’s energy use.

Verdia currently delivers $24 million in energy bill savings across five states.

But importantly, the environmental savings of this process equate to removing almost 40,000 cars off the road each year.

Muir says Verdia has identified three stumbling blocks for businesses when it comes to going green.

1. Lack of confidence in technology and suitability;

2. Pace to realise benefits. Difficulty in rolling-out projects across multiple sites, in multiple states at the same time when energy projects are not core business;

3. High risk. As businesses often don’t have in-house resources with the expertise to identify and mitigate risks throughout the project.

The Green Building Council of Australia says the nation’s built environment can lead the world in creating a carbon-positive future. And improving this sector offers more opportunities and lower costs to help ease the transition needed to reduce emissions across other more challenging economic sectors.

Key note speaker David Muir will lead this exciting discussion, moderated by The Urban Developer's founder Adam Di Marco, highlighting the future of renewable energy solutions in buildings and urban precincts.

To secure your place at Urbanity or learn more about the program click here.

Our panellists will join more than 50 speakers at Urbanity ’18. Learn more about speakers, topics, social events, workshops, site tours or tickets by clicking here.