Press release
Hobart – Sydney, November 2nd, 2021 – The built environment is not only the largest employer in Australia, but is also responsible for 75% of all carbon emissions. Three leading peak industry bodies, Consulting Surveyors National, Building Designers Association of Australia and Strata Community Association have joined forces with social impact specialists SDG Align to sign the Declaration of Commitment to Sustainable Development. SDG Align’s strategy design process and Ready Reckoner prototype won the Australian Good Design Awards in the social impact category.
The industry leads the response to consumer demand
Consumers are demanding action on climate change, and voting with their wallets seeking out sustainable products and green buildings.
Businesses, whether driven by profit or altruism or both, are motivated to meet this demand and do their bit but they are unsure how. In fact, many of the 632,000 businesses operating in the built environment (nearly 30% of all Australian business) do not have sustainable development on their business horizon.
Industry associations play a leading role in supporting and educating their members on issues of global importance. Achieving a sustainable future by 2050 is one of these issues. The industry currently has low levels of data on sustainable development to benchmark performance and businesses have poor access to resources and support.
As a signatory to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and following the Conference goals of COP26 in Glasgow, the Australian Government must step up to implement the SDGs and the 2030 agenda.
For many in the built environment, the conversation around sustainability is limited to climate change. The SDGs, however, provide a far more nuanced and encompassing notion of sustainability that equally highlights social and economic imperatives, the triple bottom line.
Now it’s up to businesses, industry and Government to work together with urgency to meet the wicked challenges of climate change.
Uniting to lead the sustainable development journey
David Morgan, Founder & MD, SDG Align “We are delighted to be working with these pioneering and committed associations – they are well placed in the industry to have a really catalytic effect on the opportunities and challenges that exist in sustainable development”
Michelle Blicavs, CEO, Association of Consulting Surveyors:
“Businesses across Australia play an important role for a sustainable future and Consulting Surveyors are committed to playing their part. The Association of Consulting Surveyors National (CSN) represents the private businesses operating land surveying firms. There is a surveying firm in every major centre and town around the country actively creating and building communities that ensure our country thrives. Sustainable business practices at the early stages of land development means Surveyors can lead the way for Sustainable Development into the future.”
Chris Knierim, CEO Building Designers Association of Australia
“We envisage a major opportunity for interested designers to step into the critical role of sustainable development experts, becoming trusted advisors on broader topics like net-zero construction, thermal performance, water management, circular design, approvals and green and comfortable living. That’s why, by signing the declaration for a sustainable future, the BDAA is working towards developing deeper involvement of the building design sector in the construction, management, service and renewal phases of the built environment cycle to ensure our visions become reality without compromise.”
Alisha Fisher, CEO Strata Community Association
“SCA is proud to make our commitment to action for a sustainable future. We believe it is important that our members embrace a sustainable future and that they play a critical role in propagating these practices to the communities they manage. Strata managers are custodians of the built environment and are centrally placed to contribute to the social, economic, and environmental impacts within the built environment. Our holistic view of all the pieces of the puzzle gives us the opportunity, and responsibility, to raise our profile and start to take a leading role in bringing the industry together on the journey.”
Taking action with the sustainable development Ready Reckoner
The three associations will work with SDG Align to help their members benchmark their businesses operations from a sustainable development perspective, learn from each other and build capacity through short courses and diagnostic tools.
By recognising that most businesses are already making a positive contribution and highlighting areas for improvement, the Ready Reckoner makes immediate practical recommendations to further engage businesses to increase their collaborative impact on economy, society and environment for all of us working and living in the Australian built environment.
About Building Designers Association of Australia (BDAA)
A champion for building designers.
The Building Designers Association of Australia (BDAA) is the single national association that represents, advocates for, promotes and connects building designers throughout Australia.
The BDAA has been cited as a consultant and direct influence on nationwide building reform, with association leaders advising national councils in a constant quest to preserve and enhance the Australian built environment.
More information: https://bdaa.com.au/sustainability
About Consulting Surveyors National (CSN)
CSN’ purpose is to promote the profession of surveying, representing and supporting the interest of surveying consultancies through relevant training and connection to build business acumen.
The Association of Consulting Surveyors National was established in June 2011 with a goal to bring surveying consultancies together from across Australia with a focus on national advocacy. Our research into the skills shortage for the profession has been widely received and used by the industry to advocate for increased importance of the profession for land development across Australia.
We now have 300 member firms with a goal to have 400 surveying firms by June 2023 from across Australia.
About Strata Community Association (SCA)
Strata Community Association (SCA) is the peak industry body for Body Corporate and Community Title Management (also referred to as Strata Management, Strata Title or Owners Corporations Management) in Australia and New Zealand.
Our 5,000 individual and corporate members include strata/body corporate managers, support staff, owners’ representatives and suppliers of products and services to the industry. SCA proudly fulfils the dual roles of a professional institute and consumer advocate.
We believe in taking action with urgency in order to raise public awareness about some of the most pressing issues facing today’s society. Please join us by supporting our efforts to make a measurable difference for the community.
More information: https://strata.community/sustainability
About SDG Align
SDG Align is a social impact startup from Hobart, Tasmania. Its European (Dutch) and Australian founders have deep experience and expertise in change management, business, technology, training and the United Nations SDGs. Our mission is to improve sustainable development outcomes by those working in the built environment.
Check out our tools for Sustainable development.
