Energy efficient stories
Vacancy has risen across Auckland and Wellington, while retailers and landlords wait to see whether city centres can recover from lockdown losses.
Poorer collaboration is slowing projects, but digitisation, prefab and greener materials are reshaping New Zealand and Australia’s building sector.
Wellington has cut net emissions by 7% in 20 years despite 26% growth, as EV chargers and car share schemes reshape transport.
Wastewater plants could cut costs and emissions by generating surplus heat and power, as Copenhagen and Turku already show.
Sustainability, modular builds and antimicrobial coatings are expected to reshape the sector as pandemic-era demand and supply shifts persist.
Establishing a carbon baseline gives firms a starting point to cut emissions, compare sites and plan against future climate targets.
Clean energy stocks may stutter in 2021 even as investment, EV sales and solar and wind capacity all hit fresh records.
Poor ventilation in crowded buildings can raise airborne infection risks, with researchers urging urgent upgrades to protect workers and students.
Older buildings could lock in high emissions unless retrofits and digital twins cut energy demand before 2050.
The system won a global innovation prize after promising onsite treatment that could cut costly sewer networks and tanker transport in Lebanon.
Researchers are testing whether structural insulated panels can speed up builds, cut costs and meet New Zealand’s earthquake standards.
Construction firms could cut costs and delays by using digital replicas to spot failures, test designs and improve sustainability before build-out.
Householders could cut power bills sharply as lenders and developers back solar, batteries and greener builds to meet demand for lower-emission homes.
Quality controls and flexible production have helped a South Island dairy plant hit world-class hygiene results and win export approvals.
A New Zealand dairy plant is already beating hygiene benchmarks, with microbial results far below accepted limits after its first season.
New transmission upgrades and extra storage will be needed as the smelter’s exit frees up 12% of New Zealand’s electricity, experts say.
Private technology firms are poised to dominate infrastructure, as automation and data reshape jobs, services and investment across the sector.
Public buildings face tighter access controls as coronavirus drives demand for safer, greener entrance systems across Australia and New Zealand.
Better freight services and more reliable trains are set to follow, as the funding also covers new ferries and ageing locomotives.
Lockdowns are set to cut CO2 emissions by at least 5% this year, but any climate gain could be erased unless stimulus backs cleaner growth.
