Green Building Assessment Tool Research Project: Final Report

Executive Summary

1 Introduction

2 Methodology

3 Background Research: Australasia

4 Background Research: International

5 Industry Consultation

6 The Selection Process

7 Final Recommendations

8 Conclusion

Appendix A: Invitation and Outline for First NZGBC Workshops

Appendix B: Expression of Interest Letter to Tool Designers

Appendix C: Instructions for Completion of Matrices

Appendix D: First NZGBC Workshop Attendees List

Appendix E: Comments Received from First NZGBC Rating Tools Workshop, April 2006

Appendix F: Invitation and Outline for Second NZGBC Workshop

Appendix G: Second NZGBC Workshop Attendees List

Appendix H: Summary of Outcomes from Second NZGBC Workshop, June 2006

Appendix I: Results from Rating Tools Workshop 1

Executive Summary

The Green Building Assessment Tool Research Project (February – June 2006), was undertaken by the New Zealand Green Building Council (NZGBC) in collaboration with URS New Zealand Ltd (URS) for the Ministry for the Environment. The goal of the project was to present a solution for the development of a sustainable building rating system for new office buildings in New Zealand.

The process undertaken involved background research into existing rating systems, industry consultation, and discussions with tool designers. All decisions recommended were put forward by an expert project advisory group (Table 1-1).

Govt³ plays an important leadership role in setting standards of best practise for buildings tenanted and owned by government departments. An industry driven sustainable building rating system for new office buildings will ensure that benchmarks, weightings, measurement techniques and process to achieve best practise are understood by the entire building delivery chain. Green building councils around the world have successfully partnered with government to design, own and manage high quality innovative rating systems that have made significant market impacts with the uptake of sustainable building practices.

The result of this project is the recommendation for New Zealand to adapt the Green Star scheme, developed by the Green Building Council of Australia (GBCA), supplemented by the technical weightings, measuring criteria and performance innovations of the Green Office tool, which has been developed in New Zealand by BRANZ Ltd. The proposed system for New Zealand will use the Green Star categories and framework and aims to connect the stages of the building life-cycle in a more simple three staged approach; design, construction and performance. The role of the NZGBC will be to educate the market to use the different tools at each stage of development to achieve the final and full certification two years after construction is complete when actual performance has been measured.

A draft version of the Green Star adaptation for New Office Design and Construction (As Built) for New Zealand is targeted to be available for public comment and use in December 2006.

Having this system will set the standard for best practice in New Zealand and will assist in acceleration of green building practices throughout the building and construction industry. This will result in minimisation of waste to landfill; a reduction in energy demand and use; a reduction in water demand and use; and healthier more productive work environments which in turn will positively affect occupants’ physical health and wellbeing.

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