CitySwitch - war on waste

Who is eligible to join the program?

If you have an office in Sydney, Melbourne, Adelaide or Perth, you can sign up to CitySwitch today. If your office is outside of these areas, you can still work with us. Contact us to find out more.

What does joining CitySwitch mean?

By joining CitySwitch, you make a commitment to reduce your environmental impact, including:

Implement initiatives which move your business towards carbon positive
Work towards a 5 star NABERS energy rating, or above, or provide energy data for an indicative NABERS rating
Commit to switching to 100% renewable energy for your electricity by 2021
Complete an annual online survey.

Your CitySwitch program manager will work with you to set goals and will be on hand to provide guidance and support.

What does annual reporting entail?

All CitySwitch Signatories prepare annual reports in September. This includes energy and waste data, NABERS ratings (or indicative ratings) and initiatives that each company has implemented over the previous year. The report also outlines initiatives that each company will start in the following year. Reporting is completed online.

What is NABERS?

NABERS, or the National Australian Built Environment Rating System, measures the environmental performance of buildings, tenancies and homes. Buildings can achieve NABERS ratings for energy, water, waste and indoor air quality.

CitySwitch uses NABERS because it provides an independent, nationally-recognised and trusted rating that is understood and respected by the property and built environment industries. NABERS also helps CitySwitch signatories to see improvements in energy efficiency over time as well as enables you to compare your achievements with other signatories similara to your organisation.

Read more about NABERS and the resources available to you.

What if my organisations doesn’t meet its commitment to reduce energy use?

Your CitySwitch program manager will work with you to adjust or refine your goals for the following year.

What is CitySwitch?

CitySwitch is a national program that helps office-based businesses to improve their energy and waste efficiency.

What is the cost to join CitySwitch?

The program is free to join. In return for the ongoing support and benefits we provide, Signatories are asked to complete annual reporting each September.

Can you help me with a business case for my management?

We can! Please contact your local program manager for help.

Do we get a free energy assessment of our business?

No, however your local program manager can help you to create a high-level action plan to get you started.

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Currently 869 tenancies covering over
3,844,258 sqm
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Latest news

Collaboration drives collective impact

Sep 2, 2019

The change we need will to tackle our trickiest problems will be led and delivered by people.

Delivering outcomes as demonstrated by an improved or maintained current NABERS Energy rating and achieved energy savings* (up to 28 points)
Implementing one or more energy saving initiatives (up to 10 points)
Demonstrating leadership by undertaking innovative, creative or progressive office energy efficiency activities (up to 10 points)
Engagement of staff/ customers/suppliers and/or stakeholders to educate and create market transformation (up to 10 points)
Participation in CitySwitch local program activities (up to 10 points).

Note, new Signatories submitting for New Signatory of the Year Award need only complete an indicative rating – all other submissions must be accredited.

CitySwitch Partnership of the Year Award - category judging criteria

Eligibility Criteria

Submitted projects should:

Involve more than one registered company
Demonstrate that they are innovative and over and above “business as usual”
Demonstrate that they catalyse “market transformation” and or “address a market barrier”
Deliver a reduction in energy consumption and carbon emissions within the built environment

Judging Criteria

Delivering outcomes as demonstrated by an improved or maintained current NABERS Energy rating and achieved energy savings* (up to 14 points)
Implementing one or more energy saving initiatives (up to 10 points)
Demonstrating leadership by undertaking innovative, creative or progressive office energy efficiency activities (up to 17 points)
Engagement of staff/ customers/suppliers and/or stakeholders to educate and create market transformation (up to 17 points)
Participation in CitySwitch local program activities (up to 10 points)
The submitting entity MUST be a CitySwitch Signatory

Note, Signatories submitting for the Partnership of the Year Award may submit an accredited NABERS tenancy, whole building or base building rating.