Talk to us
If you have any questions or comments about the content of this site, please contact Ross Maher, Think Brick Australia's Sustainability Manager and the author of the blog. MORE »Follow Us
Think Sustainability
For people, groups and companies that are serious about reducing emissions or being carbon neutral, the question of off-sets can be polarising: some people see off-sets as ‘not genuine’ emissions reductions and that they should only be used after all other efforts are exhausted to reduce emissions first. On the CONTINUE READING
To understand and mitigate the environmental impact of buildings and occupying houses, Think Brick Australia has used a total Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) methodology to more accurately compare the advantages and disadvantages of different building materials.
The study used the four most preferred types of life cycle assessments to not only CONTINUE READING
The conclusions from Think Brick Australia’s Total Life Cycle Assessment influence three key areas of public policy which could have immediate and on-going implications:
Taxing carbon in the building products sector
Improving the sustainability of housing
Providing accurate consumer information.
Taxing carbon in the building products sector
Even within the limited space of external walling CONTINUE READING
The Australian clay brick industry’s Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) – released 17 February 2010 – used a comprehensive methodology to examine not just on the emissions of a single brick or the composition of a brick wall, but also the emissions impact of a house made of bricks. To do CONTINUE READING
sydneyarchitecture.com has complied a list of Australia’s 10 Greenest Buildings to go with an article from The Australian about the return on investment from such buildings. It is all based on research by Citi research by carbon analyst Elaine Prior,which is also reported by the Fifth Estate reporting. While both CONTINUE READING
The Australian Bureau of Meteorology released the 2009 climate statement while most of us were still probably enjoying the end of our summer holidays. In yet another sign that the impact of climate change in our country is warmer temperatures and less rainfall, 2009 was the second-warmest year since 1910 CONTINUE READING
All parts of the country are starting to experience the notorious Australian heat and it is at this time that we start to see peak use of air conditioners, fans and other devices which consume vast amounts of energy and cost money!
But beating the summer heat isn’t that hard and CONTINUE READING
Think Brick Australia has made a submission to the Australian Building Codes Board (ABCB) regarding the impact of the proposed building code regulations for 2010. Think Brick Australia has conditionally supported the new building code (specifically how 6 star minimum energy performance will be implemented) based on:
the introduction of a CONTINUE READING
Since minimum energy star ratings were introduced as part of the Building Code of Australia requirements, achieving these ratings has caused confusion because of the number of different tools on the market.
This article is reposted from Residential Developer Winter Edition, 2009. (A Residential Development Council publication)
Six Star What?.pdf
CONTINUE READING
“The choice and sourcing of building materials can have a significant envrionmental impact on a building. To achieve a better envrionmental outcome for the project, specific directives and policies can be set that create the framework for a sustainable design, and ultimately influence the selection of materials” (Developer Digest, Issue CONTINUE READING