There will be many political hustings/political panels ahead of the October election. With climate a key issue, and our sector providing a huge untapped opportunity to slash emissions, there remain major gaps in the political conversation.
Representing hundreds of organisations who share a vision for all homes and buildings, we’ll shortly be releasing a stocktake of party policy against some of our key asks.
We’ll be asking questions of our potential elected officials, and we’d encourage you to do the same.
Here are some of our thoughts to help with those conversations
Successive governments have failed to help families living in damp, mouldy, unhealthy homes. What are you going to do differently to fix this heart-breaking problem?
The standards of new homes in Aotearoa fall well below many OECD countries – contributing more pollution and burdening Kiwis with inefficient, unhealthy housing. Are you committed to raising the minimum standards of the Building Code? Will you deliver a Building Code that reduces emissions inline with the Zero Carbon Act?
The Government is a huge builder, and user of buildings. Will your party ensure government leads and helps the transition by building to certified green standards?
Energy labels on buildings has been successful in Australia & other countries. Is your party committed to bringing in energy performance certificates for buildings to make performance transparent for tenants, investors and others?
Homes and businesses were on the frontline of climate change-fuelled storms and floods not so long ago. And they’re also responsible for the very pollution that puts them on that frontline. What are you going to do about that?
Our homes should be healthy, happy places, where we laugh, cry, play, eat, and make cherished memories together. Our buildings should be places where we build businesses and careers, where our children learn, and where our loved ones are cared for.
But our homes and buildings are now on the frontline of storms and floods, which are fueled by pollution. This has been all too clear in recent months.
And around 20% of that pollution is caused by our homes and buildings, when they are built using carbon intensive products and materials, and when they use too much energy to keep warm and bright – creating even more pollution.
Making all our homes and buildings, warm, healthy, cosy places is the right thing to do. It will drive damp and mould out of our homes, keeping thousands young and old out of hospital. It will keep bills low – which will likely be all too welcome as costs of living rise. It will make businesses more productive and efficient. And it will play a key part in a cleaner, green, less polluted Aotearoa.
That’s why the Green Building Council cares about better homes and buildings, for everyone.