The construction sector is responsible for 15% of New Zealand’s total greenhouse gas emissions (excluding biogenic methane), and will play an important role in achieving New Zealand’s net zero 2050 goals.
As a next step to supporting sector readiness, Building Performance has announced the publication of the Operational Efficiency Assessment: Technical Methodology.
This technical methodology provides a method for calculating the operational efficiency of a new building. Operational efficiency seeks to address carbon emissions from the use of energy and water in the operation of buildings, while also improving indoor environmental qualities for occupants.
This technical methodology is intended to support a common measurement approach, and consistency for assessing operational efficiency across the sector.
It sits alongside the Whole-of-Life Embodied Carbon Assessment: Technical Methodology. Both documents follow on from frameworks that were consulted on in 2020, and support actions in New Zealand’s first Emissions Reduction Plan, published in 2022.
The technical methodologies are not regulatory documents — however, they may form the high-level technical basis for any potential future regulation of embodied carbon and the operational efficiency of new buildings.
Please note that the Operational Efficiency Assessment: Technical Methodology refers to an energy modelling protocol that the MBIE will develop in consultation with technical experts in the sector. Work on this is now underway.
Operational Efficiency Assessment: Technical Methodology
If you have any feedback on the Operational Efficiency Assessment: Technical Methodology, please email [email protected]
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