Since launching as the Building Greenhouse Rating System (BGR) in 1999, NABERS has come a long way in 25 years.
To celebrate the progress and champions behind its success over the last quarter of a century, NABERS today launches, NABERS Celebrates 25 Years of Game Changers. The article touches on some of the major milestones over the past 25 years and includes reflections from some of the people that played a role in shaping NABERS to where it is today.
First starting as part of the NSW Government’s Sustainable Energy Development Authority (SEDA), the scheme was developed to rate the energy efficiency of commercial office buildings, using a rating tool of one to five. In the years to follow, the scheme was adopted nationally as the National Australian Built Environment Rating System (NABERS), expanded to new sectors and rating types, and the rating scale increased to six stars.
At the centre of the story of NABERS’ first 25 years is the theme of connection and collaboration. During this time many people have played a part in its development, including those who have worked directly for NABERS, as well as countless others across government, business and industry who have helped pave the way to where we are today.
The story of NABERS over the last 25 years is the story of thousands of sustainability champions joining forces to save the world, one building at a time.
This is a powerful story about what is possible when government jurisdictions work together with industry in partnership, to deliver change neither could deliver in isolation. In that time, we have seen the Australian office and shopping centre sectors lead the world in sustainability, and with several other sectors starting to follow suit. Those of us who work at NABERS are thankful for the privilege of working with so many people devoting their careers to building a society where nature, people and the economy can all thrive.