The National Australian Built Environment Rating System (NABERS) is a performance-based rating system for existing buildings. NABERS rates a building on the basis of its measured operational impacts on the environment, and provides a simple indication of how well these environmental impacts are being managed compared with other buildings.

NABERS now incorporates the Australian Building Greenhouse Rating (ABGR), which has been re-named NABERS Energy for offices. ABGR was a world first initiative for rating the greenhouse and energy performance of commercial office buildings.

Administered in Western Australia by the Sustainable Energy Development Office,
the scheme encourages building owners and tenants to reduce energy use and costs and to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. NABERS ratings for offices include NABERS Energy (previously ABGR), NABERS Water, NABERS Waste and NABERS Indoor Environment. Each of these tools has been designed to use the same methodology as the popular ABGR scheme, providing a range of environmental ratings for building owners and tenants. It is endorsed by the Property Council of Australia and supported by other major industry associations and property owners.

For details about NABERS see: www.nabers.com.au

The National Australian Built Environment Rating System awards from one to five stars depending on the greenhouse impact of the rated space, with one star being the most greenhouse intensive and five stars the least. Current industry best practice is represented by three stars.

There are three types of ratings available for existing office buildings:

•	A Tenancy rating covers the performance of a specific office tenancy.
•	A Base Building rating focuses on a building's central services (central air conditioning, lifts and common lighting).
•	A Whole Building rating looks at the performance of a complete office building.

Experience shows that through implementing energy efficiency practices many buildings can save 20-40 percent in their energy bills. When you consider that commercial buildings in Australia spend around $4 billion on energy each year, the potential is enormous. In addition to the financial savings, energy efficiency can contribute to improved productivity and provide marketing benefits for your building.

Organisations constructing a new office building can also enter into an ABGR Commitment Agreement with the Sustainable Energy Development Office. By entering into the agreement, the developer commits to designing and constructing the building to achieve a pre agreed ABGR level. The Commitment Agreement demonstrates a building's greenhouse and energy performance credentials to prospective tenants prior to its completion. The process includes an extensive review of the building design by a member of the ABGR Design Review Panel to ensure the agreed ABGR level will be delivered.

If you are interested in obtaining an accredited rating for your building or tenancy and the right to use the National Australian Built Environment Rating System logo in promoting your business, or if you want to learn more about the scheme, see www.nabers.com.au for further details.

CitySwitch Green Office
CitySwitch is a national tenant energy management program where signatories commit to achieve and maintain a 4 stars or higher NABERS Energy tenancy rating, thereby reducing their impact on the environment.

In Perth, CitySwitch is coordinated by the City of Perth for the CBD region, with SEDO (in its capacity as the WA Administrator for NABERS Energy) assisting in the delivery of the program. The CitySwitch Green Office initiative compliments and promotes the use of the existing NABERS Energy program.

CitySwitch was first launched in Sydney in 2005 and in March 2009, 83 organisations covering more than 830,000sqm of office space across Australia were signed up to the program. And, with approximately 1.3million square metres of commercial office space in Perth’s CBD alone, the program aims to sign up as many businesses as possible in an effort to promote energy efficiency and reduce CO2 emissions attributed to climate change.

At the third CitySwitch Café Series event on 17 March 2009 Mr Andrew Fairs of SEDO presented his Tenancy Energy Smart Tips. This information is formulated with the aim of minimising energy use in the office environment and includes organisational, behavioural and simple technology tips.

Follow this link to view the Tenancy Energy Smart Tips (PDF 32 KB).

Additional information on the CitySwitch program can be found at: www.cityswitch.net.au 

Office of Energy signs up to CitySwitch
The Office of Energy (which incorporates the Sustainable Energy Development Office) is leading by example when it comes to maintaining an energy efficient workplace. The Office has recently signed a commitment to achieve and maintain a 4.5 star NABERS Energy rating for its Tenancy through the CitySwitch program.  

Memorandum of Understanding
SEDO and The City of Perth share common goals of promoting and accelerating the incorporation of sustainable energy practices into the city. In recognition of this ongoing partnership, SEDO and The City of Perth have now entered into a Memorandum of Understanding. This agreement, which was officially recognised on 17 March 2009 at the third CitySwitch café series event, states each party’s commitment towards achieving common sustainable energy goals.

SEDO is looking forward to working closely with The City of Perth in delivering the CitySwitch program.

Accredited NABERS Assessors

Follow this link for a list of accredited NABERS assessors.

Contact details for Western Australian members of the ABGR Design Review Panel can be obtained from Andrew Fairs at the Sustainable Energy Development Office.

NABERS/ABGR case studies

Central Park
Dumas House
Gosnells City Council
Mt Newman House
Lincolne Scott