Show Notes
This Better Places Aotearoa episode features Davina Rooney, CEO of the Green Building Council of Australia, discussing the changing built environment and sustainability lessons from Australia. The conversation covers the challenges of communicating sustainability, the importance of circularity in sustainable businesses, the role of property as a service, and the need for leadership and management in sustainability initiatives. It also delves into the adoption of electric solutions and the impact of voluntary market adoption on policy change.
Takeaways Built environment transformation Effective communication of sustainability requires balancing technical detail with language that people understand. Circularity is crucial for the long-term sustainability of businesses in a predominantly linear economy. Property as a service requires incentivising both building owners and tenants to see the benefits. Leadership and management are essential for driving sustainability initiatives and creating a culture of a safe space for complex work. Voluntary market adoption can influence policy change and lower minimum standards over time.
Chapters 00:00 The Changing Built Environment 01:28 Focus Challenges and Sustainability 05:10 Sustainability Initiatives in Australia 08:56 Lessons for New Zealand 12:50 Improving Home Standards in Australia and New Zealand 20:11 Driving Sustainable Change in the Built Environment 25:33 Challenges of Communicating Sustainability 29:16 The Importance of Circularity 37:40 Property as a Service and Incentivisation 42:43 Leadership and Management in Sustainability 46:24 Adoption of Electric Solutions and Voluntary Market Adoption
Resources mentioned in this episode The Circular Economy | Definition & Model Explained | Ellen MacArthur Foundation Nationwide House Energy Rating Scheme (NatHERS) tools update December 2025. - Australian Housing Da… Sustainability in Property 2025 www.gbca.org.au worldgbc.org Stolen Focus by Johann Hari
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