Sustainable buildings

About the project

The Environmental Service Group’s (ESG) industry-leading building sustainability programs and practices have almost halved Property and Development NSW’s (PDNSW) commercial property portfolio’s carbon emissions since the baseline year (financial year 2015-2016).

Our ambitious plans to reduce carbon emissions rely on continuous investment into our buildings, the collective effort of our team of passionate experts and engagement with our facilities management agents and government agency tenants.

ESG has introduced the following initiatives to drive operational efficiencies and reduce our impact on the environment as we power towards zero net emissions:

• Rooftop solar PV systems: Installation of more than 1,500 kilowatts of solar systems at 47 of our sites with 2.34 megawatts total capacity.
• Energy efficient lighting: Installation of 11,000 LED lights at 52 of our sites, replacing fluorescent and metal halide lamps.
• Internet of Things (IoT): Implementation of IoT smart building technology at 11 of our sites for real-time remote monitoring of indoor environment quality parameters to ensure healthy and comfortable working conditions. This includes monitoring indoor temperature, humidity, particulate matter, carbon dioxide, total volatile organic compounds (TVOC) and light levels. Low volatile organic compounds (VOC) emissions materials, such as paints, adhesives, sealants, carpets and carpet underlays, installed in all buildings.
• Smart batteries: Installation of “smart” battery storage systems with virtual power plant (VPP) capabilities at 13 PDNSW-managed regional government office sites across the state, with further installations to be completed at three more sites by the end of 2023, reducing peak demand costs for our buildings and stabilising the electricity grid for consumers. The smart batteries have a combined energy storage capacity of 1280 kWh and an electrical charge/discharge capacity of 630 kW.
• Smart meters: Installation of “smart” meters to gather data on electricity, gas and water consumption and help identify opportunities to manage their use more efficiently.
• Water efficiency: Introduction of 292,000L capacity rainwater harvesting systems at 15 of our sites and the upgrade of amenities to low-flow and highly water efficient fittings and fixtures at 94 of our sites.
• Heat pumps: Installation of heat pumps for hot water supply to reduce reliance on gas.
• Waste education: Increase tenants’ understanding of waste streams and opportunities to divert waste from landfill by promoting good waste practices.
• Fit-for-purpose landscapes: Ecological reviews at 11 of our sites to design drought- and fire-tolerant gardens using native flora of Indigenous cultural significance.
• Green Power: Purchase of more than the nominal 6 per cent of Green Power as required by NSW Government agencies.
• ACCUs: Purchase of high-quality Australian Carbon Credit Units (ACCUs) to offset emissions we are unable to avoid at this time.