Conry Tech Unveils Report on Australia’s Energy-Efficient Buildings
Conry Tech, a climate-focused startup, has published a new report titled Australia’s Worst Buildings. This study reveals the high energy consumption and inefficiencies found in Australian buildings.
On average, an Australian office building emits 432 tonnes of CO2 each year. That’s similar to the emissions from 415 cars. However, only two percent of the country’s 127,000 office buildings are monitored for energy use and emission reductions.
Many of these buildings have a rating of five stars or higher, which may discourage owners from making necessary improvements. According to Conry Tech, this rating system needs to change to motivate better energy practices.
Sam Ringwaldt, the co-founder and CEO of Conry Tech, suggests that businesses should choose offices that perform better environmentally. He also encourages individuals to consider the environmental impact of shopping centers and hotels when making choices.
This focus on energy efficiency is crucial for Australia to meet its net zero targets. Here are some key findings from the report:
- The average NABERS-rated office releases 432 tonnes of CO2 annually.
- Some offices emit over 6,000 tonnes of CO2 each year.
- Only a small number of buildings have a public energy efficiency rating: 2,000 offices out of 127,000, 65 out of 9,000 hotels, and only 10% of shopping centers.
- More than half of NABERS-rated offices have five stars, which offers little motivation for further improvements. Conry Tech believes the rating scale needs adjustment.
- 15 out of the 20 least efficient buildings in Australia are shopping centers.
- There are 19 offices with a NABERS rating of zero.
- One Melbourne office reduced its CO2 emissions from 14 million kg to 4 million kg, showcasing how effective retrofits can be.
“While these buildings look good from the outside, they’re often inefficient and costly to the environment,” Ringwaldt explained. “The built environment contributes significantly to emissions, but we only measure a fraction of it. The government should encourage building owners to prioritize emission reductions.”
Furthermore, he believes that consumers can influence change by avoiding poorly rated buildings.
“Environmental impact should guide decisions on renting offices and choosing hotels,” he added. “We can make a difference simply by walking away from the least efficient options.”
Ringwaldt compared the emissions of an average office to the total emissions of a multi-story car park filled with cars, emphasizing the potential for reductions.
To improve energy efficiency, he suggests using better insulation and double-glazing. Air conditioning is a major energy consumer, often contributing to half of a building’s total energy usage. “The air conditioning industry has seen little innovation in the last century. At Conry, we’ve rethought air conditioning for a sustainable future,” he noted.
Conry Tech’s “Bull Ant” air-conditioning units can cut energy use in commercial spaces by 40%. With $8.7 million in funding so far, the company is seeking investors for its upcoming Series A in 2025.
Check out this related article: “Activists Decry Trump’s Forest Executive Order as a Major Setback for Conservation Efforts” – Inside Climate News
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