This report presents the findings of a two stage research project commissioned by the RICS (Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors) Education Trustees. The first report (2006) examined all office buildings in the Melbourne CBD using a high level of detail including building age, area, quality...

Buildings contribute around half of all greenhouse gas emissions and Australian offices alone account for 12% of all greenhouse gas emissions. As city authorities seek ways of reducing the contribution of cities to climate change and global warming, building adaptation appears to offer a means...

Population modelling has shown Australian buildings face a future where adaptation of the stock will become increasingly necessary to secure a sustainable future (CSIRO, 2002). Changes in population pose threats to sustainability in terms of the trend for increasing affluence and because there...

The conclusions of the Stern Report (HMSO, 2006) made clear the increasingly stark choices facing mankind. If stringent action to reduce carbon emissions is not taken within the ten to fifteen year period between 2016 and 2021, the coming generations are locked into climate disaster (HMSO,...

Whilst the profile of sustainability has increased substantially in the wider property market, relatively little attention is placed on the business case for sustainable development. In the commercial property market this remains one of the largest barriers to sustainability. For example, a...

Although it has a relatively low profile, one method of increasing sustainability in buildings currently being considered is the provision of green roofs. Most importantly, green roofs have thermal benefits in reducing heat loss and reducing heat gain and also enhancing bio-diversity....

In recent times there have been a rapidly increasing number of sustainable buildings entering the real estate market. Many of these buildings differ considerably with respect to their sustainable features, either from a design and/or performance basis, although a wide range of sustainable...