CitySwitch Green Office

National tenant energy-efficiency program to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

What is it?

CitySwitch Green Office is a national partnership between businesses and government acting as environmental leaders. The program assists office tenants to improve energy efficiency for a positive impact on climate change.

With over 70 per cent of Canberra's greenhouse gas emissions generated by stationary sources, including office buildings, the ACT's emissions profile is distinctly different from the national emissions figure of around 50 per cent.

CitySwitch provides an opportunity for Canberra's many businesses and government agencies to demonstrate leadership in reducing their contribution to the ACT's environmental impact, and modelling exemplary behaviour to the Canberra community. Together with CitySwitch, organisations can reduce their impact on the environment at the same time as making significant savings on energy costs.

Who can participate?

Any office building tenant can become a Signatory to CitySwitch.

What's involved?

By becoming a CitySwitch Signatory, your organisation acknowledges at a senior level that climate change is a serious issue. In striving to become leaders in energy efficiency, all Signatories agree to undertake a set of energy actions:

1. Undertake a benchmark National Australian Built Environment Rating System (NABERS ) Energy rating of their office within three months of joining the program.
2. Nominate a staff member as Energy Manager to monitor actual performance.
3. Develop and implement an Energy Action Plan to achieve and maintain a 4-star or higher accredited NABERS Energy rating.
4. Request a NABERS Energy base building rating from the building owner/manager.
5. Obtain an annual NABERS Energy rating to monitor their performance and provide feedback on their success at the annual Progress Report – Executive Briefing event.
6. Promote energy efficiency to staff and other stakeholders, and share their experiences with other Signatories.

A range of CitySwitch  resources are available to assist tenants create a sustainable workplace.

How will CitySwitch benefit my office or business?

All tenants can benefit from improving environmental performance of their office. Businesses that benchmark their performance and plan for improvement can reduce operating costs and gain a competitive advantage by promoting their organisation as a cost-effective, greenhouse-friendly place to work.

How much does it cost?

There is no fee to become a CitySwitch Signatory. There is a fee for conducting a NABERS energy assessment, which is paid directly to an accredited NABERS assessor . CitySwitch recommends that several quotes are obtained before selecting an accredited assessor.

Rebates

CitySwitch ACT is offering a rebate for the cost of a NABERS energy assessment. The rebate is 50 per cent of the cost of the assessment to a maximum of $1,000. All existing and new CitySwitch Signatories are eligible to apply for a rebate for a NABERS assessment conducted between 1 July 2010 and 31 May 2011.

Funds are limited and rebate applications ( 157 kB) will be processed in the order they are received by the CitySwitch Program Manager.

More information

For more information about becoming a Signatory visit the CitySwitch website .