To identify priorities for improving and investing in sustainable infrastructure, an understanding of baseline asset performance is critical. States and territories should audit health assets, schools and education infrastructure, and social housing to understand data gaps and establish need.
Publicly reporting the audit results would create a database for inter-and cross-jurisdictional comparison, attract investment and support best practice. These rating tools are effective ways to target investment, benchmark sustainability performance, set priorities and enable transparent reporting across a range of assets:
• NABERS measures the environmental performance of Australian buildings and tenancies, including energy efficiency, water usage and waste management as well as the environmental quality of a building and its impact on the environment.77
• The Infrastructure Sustainability Council of Australia IS Rating Scheme evaluates sustainability across the planning, design, construction and operational phases of infrastructure programs, projects, networks and assets.78
• Green Building Council of Australia's Green Star is a holistic rating system for evaluating sustainability across the design, construction and operational phases of buildings and social infrastructure fit-outs and precincts.79
• GRESB's Global ESG Benchmark for Real Assets scores and benchmarks environmental, social and corporate governance (ESG) performance data, providing business intelligence and engagement tools to investors and managers.80
All these tools can also provide the data required to qualify for certified financing instruments that will attract investment.81