“Navigating Sustainability: Show Me the Green Money” – that was the theme of this month’s Leaders Forum hosted by Tina Perinotto from The Fifth Estate, and it couldn’t be more timely.
As the property and construction sectors face the dual pressure of climate targets and growing demand, industry leaders came together to explore how Australia can fund, scale, and accelerate sustainable transformation.
Key Takeaways
“The time is now – for bold, decisive action.”
That was the call from Francesca Muskovic, Director of National Policy at the Property Council of Australia, who provided an optimistic outlook on upcoming reforms. With the right policy settings, sectors like property – which can directly deliver on climate targets – will play a leading role.
Expect a boom in building upgrades.
Millions of upgrades will be required across Australia’s commercial and residential properties. This means rapid workforce scaling, new skills, and investment in technology to deliver low-carbon outcomes efficiently.
Australia’s edge in clean energy and innovation.
Jeremy Gill from the Committee for Sydney spoke about Sydney’s (and Australia’s) unique opportunity to lead in Net Zero and Clean energy innovation.
Electrification is here to stay.
Ali Ingram, JLL’s Head of Sustainability for Capital Markets APAC, outlined the growing divide between high-performing, future-ready assets and those at risk of vacancy and devaluation. Investors are aligning with efficiency – and that means electrification is now a strategic imperative.
Rethinking how we build.
Richard Smith, Director at MBM, challenged the industry to fast-track the adoption of Modern Methods of Construction (MMC) to close the affordability gap and meet Australia’s housing needs sustainably.
Why It Matters
At SCSA, we see firsthand how smart, scalable, and sustainable solutions are already transforming building performance across Australia.
The built environment is no longer just part of the climate conversation – it’s at the centre of it. With rising investor expectations, stronger regulation, and a workforce hungry to innovate, we are poised for industry-wide transformation.
Let’s build on this momentum. Let’s keep delivering better buildings, smarter systems, and a more resilient, low-carbon future.
Want to learn how your building can become part of the solution? Contact us to start the conversation.
