The Australian Building Greenhouse Rating is 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. 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 Australian Building Greenhouse Rating uses a one to five star rating to benchmark a building's greenhouse impact, 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 Australian Building Greenhouse Rating logo in promoting your business, or if you want to learn more about the scheme, see www.abgr.com.au for further details.

Accredited Assessors

Follow this link for a list of accredited 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.

Australian Building Greenhouse Rating case studies

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