Future policy directions for zero emission housing in Australia: Implications from an international review and comparison

Several advanced economies are in the process of a transition towards zero emission housing by 2020. Such transitions require a radical shift beyond existing limited building envelope and energy efficiency improvements. The Zero Emission Housing (ZEH) concept indicates such a radical shift, implying as it does home energy consumption within limits set by the home itself, and renewable energy technology as standard. This paper analyses current new housing energy performance policies from Australia, the EU and USA against a set of socio-technical transitions principles presented within a zero emission housing framework. Key trends, present knowledge and implementation gaps are identified. Initiatives are proposed to enable a transition to zero emission housing. These include longer term policy goals, links to higher level policies (such as climate change emission reduction targets) and mandatory requirements for renewable energy generation. Without these initiatives, Australian housing energy performance policy risks falling further behind in the shift towards a low carbon future. The paper concludes by highlighting the implications of different policy elements of a ZEH transition in Australia, particularly for environmental, economic and social outcomes.