DESPITE most greenhouse gas emissions being produced by industry, domestic emissions are still considerable.
The average household produces about 14 tonnes of greenhouse gas a year, mostly through energy use, according to the Australian Bureau of Agricultural and Resource Economics.
The Council of Australian Governments has agreed to develop a national strategy for energy efficiency to help households prepare for the introduction of the Carbon Pollution Reduction Scheme.
The strategy is designed to substantially encourage and support innovation and improve minimum standards for energy efficiency.
Ways to achieve these include accelerating the introduction of technologies, improving regulatory processes and increasing the number of energy-efficient homes and commercial buildings.
From next year, new buildings will be constructed according to stringent energy-efficiency standards.
This strategy also aims to raise awareness of better energy use in existing buildings. People seeking to buy or lease properties will be provided with information about the energy efficiency of the buildings through proposed mandatory disclosure provisions, also starting next year.
Though the government's policy is yet to be finalised, indications are that the onus of obtaining and providing documentation on energy efficiency will rest with the property owner, and mandatory disclosure of documentation will need to be provided when a dwelling is listed for sale or rent.
