CitySwitch Green Office
CitySwitch Green Office is a national tenant energy management program run in partnership between the cities of Sydney, North Sydney, Parramatta, Willoughby, Melbourne, Perth, Adelaide and Brisbane and state government agencies, the Department of Environment & Climate Change NSW and Sustainability Victoria.
With a geographical location representing approximately 70 per cent of Australia’s office space, the program works with tenants to improve office energy efficiency, thereby reducing the CO2 emissions attributed to global warming. One of the main reasons for choosing this way to save energy is that tenants can influence up to 50 percent of total energy use in office buildings.
CitySwitch Signatories commit to achieve and maintain an accredited 4 stars or higher NABERS Energy tenancy rating. NABERS Energy measures and rates a tenancy's actual yearly greenhouse gas emissions using 12 months of energy bills.
The commitment can be achieved by simple, easy to implement actions that increase energy efficiency such as:
- installing energy efficient lighting and office equipment
- changing to flat screen monitors
- activating sleep mode on equipment where applicable
- upgrading lighting controls including occupancy sensors and timers
- purchasing GreenPower from renewable sources
- educating staff on the benefits of energy efficiency
The delivery of the National CitySwitch program was coordinated through the Council of Capital City Lord Mayors.
To date, 69 high profile organisations covering more than 750,000 sqm of commercial office space have committed to the program.
Find out how to take the first step today. Real action on climate change may be easier than you think.
CitySwitch was previously known as the 3CBDs Greenhouse Initiative. It was established by the City of Sydney, North Sydney Council, Parramatta City Council and the NSW Department of Environment and Climate Change NSW.
CitySwitch Green Office Vision
By 2012, the CitySwitch Green Office vision is to:
-
Reduce the greenhouse gas emissions produced in Australia
-
Significantly decrease overall electricity demand in each participating council (and in turn water demand and waste production)
-
Positively influence a widespread market transformation within the office tenancy sector with a focus on sustainability issues
By
-
Delivering a national office tenant program in major and regional cities that firstly addresses energy use, followed by water usage and waste minimisation
-
Encouraging a change in city worker behaviour to support an environmentally sustainable office culture through enrolling businesses as Signatories (small, medium and large office tenancies)
- Lobbying and advocating for better energy efficiency (and in turn water and waste efficiency) within existing commercial building stock
