Media release

The money is on the move: Climate Bonds Initiative recognises Green Star as a pathway to net
zero buildings
Barangaroo/London: 24/11/2021: Green Star has achieved recognition as an international pathway
to net zero emissions building, after the Climate Bonds Initiative (CBI) approved two of the Green
Building Council of Australia’s rating tools as compliant with green bonds certification.
“As CBI mobilises the $100 trillion bond market, tying green finance to Green Star – and to highly
efficient, fossil free buildings that are powered by renewables – helps to carve out a clear pathway tonet zero,” says Davina Rooney, Chief Executive Officer of the Green BuildingCouncil of Australia(GBCA).
To qualify for CBI certification, proceeds of a bond must be directed to new buildings that
demonstrate very low carbon emissions during operations. Two GBCA rating tools, Green StarBuildings
and Green Star Homes, drive the outcomes sought by CBI, delivering buildings in the top 15% interms of low carbon emissions intensity (kgCO2/m2).
Any building seeking a world-leading 6 Star Green Star rating under Green Star Buildings rating tool
automatically complies with CBI’s Commercial Buildings Criteria. All other Green Star-rated buildingsthat follow the climate positive requirements – fossil fuel free, highly efficient and powered byrenewables – also automatically comply.
Meanwhile, all single-family dwellings with a Green Star Homes rating will comply with theResidential Buildings Criteria.
“As governments and investors respond to climate change and the outcomes of COP26, demand forgreen finance is growing rapidly,” says CBI’s Chief Executive Officer, Sean Kidney.
“Reducing emissions from the built environment is a critical part of the transition to net zero. This
best practice recognition of Green Star Buildings and Green Star Homes will make it easier for
developers to attract new capital and for investors to identify and back climate friendly
opportunities.”
The built environment is responsible for 23% of Australia’s greenhouse gas emissions and almost
40% of the world’s carbon footprint.
The OECD has estimated that almost US$7 trillion a year will be needed by 2030 alone to tackle
climate change. The World Economic Forum has noted a $2.5 trillion-a-year financing gap stands inthe way of the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals.
“The GBCA and CBI established a partnership in 2015 and have been working steadily towards thisgoal for several years. We are proud that this partnership can strengthen the active green bonds
market and provide clear pathways for the next wave of capital wanting toinvest in climate-readybuildings,” Ms Rooney concludes.
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Contact information:
Leena Fatin,
Senior Communications & Digital Manager,
Climate Bonds Initiative (London).
+44 (0) 7593 320 198
Leena.fatin@climatebonds.net
Sally Foley,
Green Building Council of Australia
0435 710 336
sally.foley@gbca.org.au
About Climate Bonds Initiative: is an investor-focused not-for-profit, working to mobilise global
capital for climate action. It undertakes advocacy and outreach to inform and stimulate the market,
provides policy models and government advice, and administers the Climate Bonds Certification
Scheme. For more information, please visit www.climatebonds.net.
About Green Building Council of Australia: Green Building Council of Australia (GBCA) is the nation’s
authority on sustainable buildings and communities. Our mission is to accelerate the transformationof Australia’s built environment into one that is healthy, liveable, productive, resilient and sustainable.
We work with industry and government to encourage policies and programs that support our mission.
We educate thousands of people each year on how to design and deliver sustainable outcomes forAustralia’s buildings and communities. And we operate Australia’s only national, voluntary, holistic
rating system for sustainable buildings andcommunities – Green Star. www.gbca.org.au
About Green Star: Established by GBCA in 2003, Green Star is a trusted, internationally recognised
rating system forhealthy, resilient, positive buildings and places. There are more than 3,200 GreenStar certified buildings and places in Australia. The average Green Star certified building produces 55
per cent fewer greenhouse gas emissions than a standard new building, consumes half the water andeliminates 96 per cent of construction waste.
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Disclaimer: The information contained in this communication does not constitute investment advice in any form
and the Climate Bonds Initiative is not an investment adviser. Any reference to a financial organisation or debt
instrument or investment product is for information purposes only. Links to external websites are for information
purposes only. The Climate Bonds Initiative accepts no responsibility for content on external websites.
The Climate Bonds Initiative is not endorsing, recommending or advising on the financial merits or otherwise ofany debt instrument or investment product and no information within this communication should be taken as
such, nor should any information in this communication be relied upon in making any investment decision.
Certification under the Climate Bond Standard only reflects the climate attributes of the use of proceeds of adesignated debt instrument. It does not reflect the credit worthiness of the designated debt instrument, nor its
compliance with national or international laws.
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investment an individual or organisation makes, nor for any investment made by third parties on behalf of anindividual or organisation, based in whole or in part on any information contained within this, or any other
Climate Bonds Initiative public communication.
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