May 12, 2023 Image: Powerhouse Parramatta render.
Powerhouse today became the first museum in Australia and latest signatory of the World Green Building Council (WorldGBC) Net Zero Carbon Buildings Commitment. Through its renewal the museum is taking radical action to embed low carbon solutions into its infrastructure projects and operations across all Powerhouse sites, leading the way to net zero emissions by 2025.
This aligns with the Powerhouse Climate Action Plan that is the pathway for the museum to achieve net zero carbon emissions in operations by 2025. A key distinguishing feature of the plan is the centrality of the museum’s ‘Caring for Country Principles’, developed in consultation with First Nations communities on which Powerhouse sites are located.
The commitment Powerhouse has made to World Green Building Council’s Net Zero Carbon Buildings Commitment:
- Reduce existing buildings’ energy consumption, eliminate emissions from energy and refrigerants, remove fossil fuel use drastically, and compensate for residual emissions.
- Verify by measuring and optimising building performance across all operations sites using Green Star.
- The Powerhouse Climate Action Plan outlines commitments to influence products and services used along our value chain for better outcomes for museum exhibitions and programs and positively contribute to innovation across the museum sector.
To reflect on impact and positive changes, the Powerhouse will track progress of the targets and objectives and share the results with supporting data, including energy consumption and carbon emission through annual reporting.
‘The foundation of our response to climate change is drawn from the knowledge, understanding of First Nations peoples to care for Country in ways that are inherently sustainable. By 2030 Powerhouse will be operating climate positive across all sites. Our leadership and pledge to positive climate action will establish and embed new sustainable practices across the cultural sector,’ said Powerhouse Chief Executive Lisa Havilah.
‘We welcome Powerhouse to take up the leadership position in the cultural sector. By becoming a signatory to the Net Zero Carbon Buildings Commitment, they have shown their commitment to decarbonising their museum exhibition and public spaces, as well as infusing #AdvancingNetZero into promotion of excellence and innovation in applied arts and sciences,’ said World Green Building Council Director of Advancing Net Zero, Victoria Kate Burrows.
‘As an internationally leading museum in applied science, Powerhouse has an important role to play in inspiring change in the community. We are proud to join the World Net Zero Carbon Buildings Commitment and continuously demonstrate our leadership in climate action through technologies, innovation, consideration for material impacts and our future operations,’ said Powerhouse Climate Action and Sustainability Manager Carmel Reyes.
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MEDIA CONTACTS
Cara Lopez | Powerhouse
cara.lopez@powerhouse.com.au | 0438 147 097
About Powerhouse
Powerhouse sits at the intersection of arts, design, science and technology and plays a critical role in engaging communities with contemporary ideas and issues. We are undertaking a landmark $1.4 billion infrastructure renewal program, spearheaded by the creation of the flagship museum, Powerhouse Parramatta; expanded research and public facilities at Powerhouse Castle Hill; the renewal of the iconic Powerhouse Ultimo; and the ongoing operation of Sydney Observatory. The museum is custodian to over half a million objects of national and international significance and is considered one of the finest and most diverse collections in Australia. We are also undertaking an expansive digitisation project that will provide new levels of access to Powerhouse collections.
About the World Green Building Council
The World Green Building Council (WorldGBC) is the largest the most influential local-regional-global action network, leading the transformation to sustainable and decarbonised built environments for everyone, everywhere.
Together, with 75+ Green Building Councils and industry partners from all around theworld, we are driving systemic changes to:
- Address whole life carbon emissions of existing and new buildings
- Enable resilient, healthy, equitable and inclusive places
- Secure regenerative, resource efficient and waste-free infrastructure
We work with businesses, organisations and governments to deliver on the ambitions of the Paris Agreement and UN Global Goals for Sustainable Development (SDGs).