NABERS ratings have a strong reputation for being rigorous, low cost and simple. NABERS also holds one of the largest data sets relating to environmental performance of buildings in Australia. Because of this, NABERS ratings are often used by financial institutions for reporting and setting targets. Over the years, NABERS has collaborated with financial institutions to create important documents like the NABERS Sustainable Finance Criteria.
As a result of our strong reputation, in 2023 we were approached to solve a key challenge faced by financial institutions: the need to report on emissions from their lending and investment activities in commercial real estate. This is straightforward for buildings that have a NABERS rating. However, not all buildings have a rating which has led to financial institutions using various estimation methods.
To address this challenge, NABERS has developed the Average Emissions Intensity Guidance document. It is based on a data set that covers thousands of buildings in Australia. This document is primarily intended for financial institutions aiming to align with climate-related financial reporting frameworks. By providing a consistent approach to estimating emissions, even for buildings without a NABERS rating, it supports transparency and accountability in sustainable finance. Additionally, this guidance encourages the uptake of NABERS ratings, promoting more accurate and reliable emissions reporting.
If you have any questions, please reach out to our team at nabers@environment.nsw.gov.au