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ESD Framework

A broad ESD framework to give an overall view of how ESD is aligned with government’s Strategic Asset Management Framework. It categorises sustainability issues against key life cycle asset management functions.

The ESD framework is consistent with a triple bottom line approach and addresses resource use, waste reduction, re-cycling, storm water re-use strategies, preservation of biodiversity and the natural environment. It includes consideration of social and cultural heritage issues, building-user amenity (eg, quality of air, water, soil, light), and the selection of renewable and low energy, construction materials and processes. 

Ecological sustainability is about intergenerational equity, and to achieve that will require commitment to environmental stewardship. With regard to the built environment, this requires a delicate balance between the provision and sustainment of buildings to support the business needs of users, including their well being, at optimal cost and in a way that conserves the consumption of scarce resources.

Buildings reflect how we choose to live, work and play so are an expression of society, its values and aspirations. Buildings affect the environment around them, the people who use them and the resources dedicated to construct, operate and maintain them. 

Sustainable building employs a integrated approach to providing performance to supports business services during each life cycle stage.  This means provision of the lowest life cycle cost that can be apportioned into an initial capital cost that accounts for around 15% of the total expenditure and the significant balance relating to on-going operation and maintenance. Hence sustainable development invests carefully in the planning associated with new developments to minimise the subsequent maintenance and operating liabilities.

Winston Churchill said:
"although we shape our dwellings, afterwards our dwellings shape us".

If the employee occupant costs are factored into the equation, initial capital building costs account for something like 2%, maintenance and operation 6% and people 92%  (over a 30 year period).³ This emphasises the importance of health, comfort and productivity of the building occupants.

A report⁴ from America outlined a comprehensive analysis of the financial costs and benefits of ‘green building’. Based on the study of 33 buildings in California, a minimal upfront investment of about 2% of the construction cost will typically yield a life cycle cost savings over ten times the initial investment.

³ "Building Better Buildings - A Blueprint for Sustainable State Facilities -December 2002" - Prepared by the Sustainable Building Task Force & the California State and Consumer Services Agency.

⁴  Kats, Greg. October 2003, A Report to California's Sustainable Building Task Force -  October 2003.