Photo by Javier Allegue Barros on Unsplash
The building and construction sector is playing a key role in boosting the New Zealand economy right now. All of us should feel proud of the part we are playing – a part that will benefit all New Zealanders.
And now it is time for our sector to play a similar, leading role in driving a greener, healthier, zero carbon Aotearoa, for the benefit of all New Zealanders.
New Zealand’s built environment is responsible for approximately 20 percent of the country’s carbon emissions, and the climate change pollution from construction soared in the September quarter to record levels.
But, working together, we know that we have the solutions, the opportunity and the momentum to play a lead role in the shift to a healthier, greener Aotearoa. Our sector has the potential to be the carbon-busting hero our country needs, while continuing to deliver significant economic benefits.
Right now, green building is more important than ever. And we are all craving opportunities to connect kanohi ki te kanohi, to meet up, collaborate and listen. And the upcoming Green Property Summit will, we hope, be an opportunity to do just that.
On 6 May, hundreds of the most influential people in Aotearoa’s building and construction industry will be getting together for the Summit, hosted by the Green Building Council and our mates over at Property Council.
The Summit has an awesome array of stellar speakers, including head of the World Green Building Council, Cristina Gamboa, who will be opening the welcome function, and, joining us from Harvard will be health and wellbeing guru Dr Joseph G Allen.
Delivering healthier, less polluting buildings won’t just give Kiwis cleaner air to breathe, and cleaner water in which to swim. Greener buildings will also be good for our economy. For instance, making all our buildings energy efficient would provide local jobs through the country, and be one of the best and most equitable ways to tackle climate change.
That’s what makes the Green Property Summit, which is due to take place at the Aotea Centre in Auckland, such an important event, for our industry, for our economy, for a healthier, greener Aotearoa for all New Zealanders.
This key event is happening at what is the most important time ever for our industry, and for efforts to tackle carbon pollution. Despite this importance, we’re all too aware that our plans for an awesome conference could have to change. If that’s the case, we will be nimble.
There’s heaps of straightforward ways to help the green building movement between now and the Summit. You can take part in our consultation on the proposed improvements and changes to Homestar this afternoon, get an entry in for our Future Thinker of the Year, watch the next of our increasingly popular webinars, check out our range of upcoming events and online videos, and help to guide our work by taking just ten minutes to fill in our member survey.
Ngā mihi nui
Andrew Eagles