NABERS: An Approach For Preserving The Environment Alongside The Development

The climatic effects of every country have an impact on the health of its dwellers. The rise of global warming around the world has made a point that every country needs some environmental measures.

Australia does not lag behind when we talk about the extremity of the climate. The hot weather in the city is nowhere comfortable and healthy for the residents. Since the atmosphere is always brewing like a hot coffee in the country, NABERS Rating makes an appearance from the curtain.

Apart from all other environmental measures taken by the country, the National Australian Built Environment Rating System looks upon the building’s eco-friendly factors. Since the last 10 years till today, every building from office to residential has undergone this rating system.

The approach has brought down many harmful factors from the country. Contractors who used to shape buildings without much consideration have started to walk on the path of environment-friendly construction.

However, this explanation may not be enough. To get a clear picture of NABERS qualifying building we will first need to understand the inside story of the rating system.

The Approach of NABERS

According to a study, a building comprises or consumes 40% of energy, 40% of carbon emission and 20% of drinking water. To mitigate this overuse of resources NABERS assess each building and gives a rating to its impact on the environment.

The Steps to assessment involve;

1. Calculating the energy used in the construction of the building.
2. The energy then is compared with greenhouse gas emission factors.
3. The output is considered based on the area, climate, and tools used for the construction of the building.
4. The result then gets compared to the environmental benchmark.
5. Further, the benchmark is converted into NABERS rating factor; i.e out of 6-star rating

A fact to remember; NABERS looks at how and where the building affecting the area after the construction. It has no relation to the intention of the builder. So quoting in simple words, one cannot only claim to have eco-friendly intentions and end-up not fulfilling them.

On the same account, for the environmental ratings that can help before the construction is the BASIX report (Building Sustainability Index). The numbers of this Index chart can be handy while planning an environmental-friendly building.

When to take the Measures of Redevelopment?

Coming back to NABERS, it very important for every building in Australia to qualify its regulations. The NSW Office of Environment and heritage may command a building for redevelopment if it does not meet with the standard requirements of the national rating. 

The rating system includes 2 levels of grade, 6-star excels as the market leader and 1-star states the poor performance. Hence, if you go below 4-star rating, consider redevelopment. The reason, we have already harmed nature, why to add an additional factor to the mishap?