Guerin, T F (2025) Perceptions of volume home builders and the transition to net zero emissions housing in Australia. Building Research & Information, 53(3), pp. 323-344. ISSN 0961-3218
Abstract
This study investigated the transition to net-zero emissions (NZE) homes within the Australian volume home-building sector. A group of 18 stakeholders, including volume builders, greenfield developers and industry experts, were engaged in research to identify key barriers and potential solutions for NZE home development and delivery. Initial findings, derived from a series of interviews, indicated strong support for government initiatives offering incentives and support for this transition to NZE homes. Interviewees expressed confidence in the ability of the volume home builder sector to meet the materials and skill requirements for the delivery of NZE homes. To validate these findings, a workshop involving an expanded group of 30 industry and government stakeholders, including the initial interviewees, was conducted. The outcomes from the workshop underscored the potential value of a government-led buyers' group in assisting volume builders to transition towards NZE homes. The study identifies three critical factors (or requirements) for the success of government-supported industry intervention: customer appeal, commercial viability and alignment with policy objectives. The findings confirm that government intervention, such as forming buyers' groups and implementing supporting policies, is essential in facilitating the shift to NZE homes in Australia.
| Item Type: | Article |
|---|---|
| Uncontrolled Keywords: | carbon emissions; construction; net zero emission homes; sustainable housing; technology adoption; volume builders |
| Index terms: | housing, builder, government initiatives, interview, sustainable housing, technology adoption, net zero, critical factor, Australia, carbon emission, workshop |
| Subjects: | Geography, housing and residential development, climate science, practitioner, construction type, innovation and technology management, political science, data collection methods, risk assessment, energy systems |
| Topics: | Risk Management, Sustainability, Engineering Principles, Geographical Context, Urban Studies, Roles and Professions, Governance, Construction Technology, Research Practice |
| Descriptive scope: | 3 PCE |
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