Allianz Australia & GBCA Partner To Support Sustainable Home Improvements
Despite rising interest rates and building costs, new research from Allianz Australia has today revealed that 3.5 million Australian homeowners are looking to renovate or make improvements to their homes in the next six months.
Yet, a quarter of those with a renovation plan who were surveyed aren’t considering making their home more sustainable (24 per cent). Almost half of those surveyed don’t know where to start when it comes to sustainable renovations (46 per cent), and almost nine in ten say there are barriers deterring them from making their home sustainable (86 per cent).
Australian homeowners who were surveyed list the key barriers to sustainable improvements as associated high costs (60 per cent) and complexity (31 per cent). Furthermore, many say that making their home more sustainable feels like a very large task (51 per cent) and are unsure of the benefits of sustainable improvements (27 per cent).
Despite this, the research shows there is an appetite for change, with surveyed Australian homeowners admitting they would consider making their home more sustainable if it increased the value of their home (46 per cent) if they understood what the benefits are for them or their family (37 per cent), or the environment (34 per cent) or if they received more information on how they can make changes in their own home (34 per cent).
To help bridge the knowledge gap of Australian homeowners, Allianz Australia and the Green Building Council of Australia (GBCA) have developed Green Specs, a digital destination aiming to help Australians make their blueprints green and break down the technical information available in their newly released Guide.
The Guide, developed by GBCA, is a technical manual and checklist for sustainable improvements aimed at industry professionals, while Green Specs is a visual representation of the Guide, simplified into an interactive plan via a website.
On Green Specs, Australians will be able to explore the rooms of a digital floorplan and learn new ways to make their home more sustainable – from small improvements to undertaking major renovations. Changes can be filtered by room and budget, – everything from:
- Positive changes (such as energy efficiency)
- Healthy changes (such as reducing harmful chemicals or emissions)
- Resilient changes (such as reducing the risk of extreme weather impacts on your home).
Green Specs comes as almost half of surveyed Australian homeowners say there isn’t enough information available on how to make their home more sustainable (49 per cent), and almost two-thirds (63 per cent) want to learn more about how they can make their home more sustainable.
“It’s easy to think of sustainable renovations as complex and expensive, however this doesn’t have to be the case. By thinking holistically and choosing more sustainable products and materials, homeowners can not only support the planet, but be more resilient to a changing climate and manage their overall household energy use, benefiting from cheaper bills, and healthier and less environmental impact products,” said architect and leader in sustainable homes, Alexander Symes.
“Having a tool that simplifies sustainable improvements available for Australian homes, from solar to insulation and even lightbulbs, Australian homeowners can be empowered to make greener decisions”.
“The increasing frequency and severity of weather events makes it more important than ever to consider sustainable and resilient elements in our homes. The insurance industry has an important role to play in supporting our customers and the community to transition to net zero. In bringing Green Specs to life, our aim is to highlight ways to make homes more sustainable – from small improvements through to large renovations,” said Sema Whittle, general manager of corporate governance and sustainability at Allianz Australia.
Allianz claims data has revealed that 43 per cent of home insurance claims made between May 2022 and April 2023 were a result of an extreme weather event. However, the research from Allianz Australia shows that when it comes to a sustainable home and its resilience to weather events and natural disasters, only half of surveyed Australian homeowners believe flood (55 per cent) and bushfire (51 per cent) resilience are features of a sustainable home.
Furthermore, a quarter of surveyed Australian homeowners with a renovation plan are not planning on making their homes more resilient against extreme weather events (26 per cent).
“Our research has shown that three in five homeowners are looking to their home and contents insurer to inform them of how to make their homes more sustainable and more resilient to climate change. Green Specs aims to bridge a knowledge gap for Australian homeowners by providing a wealth of information about everything from using sustainable building materials, choosing greener appliances, improving a home’s resilience to bushfire or flood, and more. We’re proud to partner with GBCA to bring Green Specs to life,” Whittle said.
With 53 per cent of Australia’s total built greenhouse gas emissions coming from our homes, the partnership between Allianz and GBCA is designed to encourage Australians to play a role in changing how we use resources at home to help contribute to a more sustainable future.
“What’s really interesting is that changes that are good for the planet, can also be good for your health and your back pocket. By making simple updates to your home, such as replacing gas appliances, installing solar panels, or implementing energy-saving measures like sealing gaps around doors and adding insulation, you not only create a healthier living space but also reduce emissions and save on energy bills,” said Davina Rooney, CEO of GBCA.
Latest News
Cairns Crocodiles The Work: Healthcare Sponsored By Alternaleaf
There is just under a month to go until the inaugural Cairns Crocodiles Awards presented by Pinterest! Today, as our judges deliberate over a year’s worth of hard work, we celebrate some of the incredible entries in the Healthcare category sponsored by Alternaleaf. The Cairns Crocodiles Awards celebrate the best examples of creativity in marketing […]
ThinkNewsBrands To Play A Major Role At CMO ANZ Summit
I think we can all agree that being front and centre is a better place to be than back and off centre.
TV Ratings (09/05/2024): Carlton Beats Melbourne In Nail-biting Win
We venture a bet that viewers had no nails left by the end of this game!
Woolies And Suncorp Marketers On Why Brands Are Investing BIG In Netball
Brands finally understanding the potential of netball in Australia. And that's despite the Matildas' ongoing efforts.
Apple Apologises For ‘Tone Deaf’ Culture Crushing iPad Ad
AI may be the route to a smarter & efficient humankind, but for most of us it means "Shit, I'm going to lose my job!"
TEG Group Nabs Belinda Shaw From Boral
Belinda Shaw certainly not shy of challenge as she shifts from a cement firm over to a ticketing one.
NBL Slam Dunks New Network Ten Broadcast Deal
Do you think shooting hoops would be a better use of your spare time than drinking heavily? Discover the truth here.
Qatar Airways Becomes Partner and Official Cargo Airline Partner of MotoGP
B&T can't recommend Qatar Airlines enough. Qatar itself would give Hell's fires a run for their money such is the heat.
Rebel Bondi Junction Pulls Kangaroos Jerseys From The Shelf
Despite some adverse press, this is probably the correct thing to do by the sports retailer.
Dineamic Rebrands To serve Up Honest Food, Via Bullfrog.
Are ready-meals the new status symbol of the super busy? Much like hands-free phones & wanky personalised number plates?
TikTok Joins Adobe-founded Content Authenticity Initiative (CAI) To Help Combat Misinformation
With all this talk of the Chinese government spying on us, B&T embarrassed we haven't got that much to be spied about.
Cannes In Cairns Delegates Called Upon For AI Reef Challenge
Just by attending Cannes In Cairns you can help save the Reef! Which may offset the damage you do not saving your liver.
Man Of Many Launches Sydney Whisky Month – A Luxe Whisky Fair
Sydney's getting its own whisky month. Topics of conversation to avoid include the Middle East & Peter Dutton's head.
Challenger Signs Three Year Partnership With Sydney Film Festival
B&T loves the Sydney Film Festival & not just because it enables us to wear black turtlenecks & say noir over & over.
Truths & Tensions Of The Modern World: Nature Study Reveals Only 50% Of Aussies Feel Optimistic About The Future
Worrying study finds half of Aussies pessimistic about the future. An overwhelming majority detest the McPlant burger.
Bernard Salt AM On Why The Best Is Yet To Come For The Aussie Ad Industry
The demographer & futurist predicts a rosy future for Australia's ad industry. Alas, no tips for Randwick this Saturday.
Coles’ FightMND Fundraiser Takes Off For Big Freeze 10
As much as B&T applauds Coles on this charity initiative, we do ask for less 'Locomotion' through the in-store stereo.
IAB Australia Calls For Submissions To MeasureUp 2024
The IAB's calling for speaker submissions for its MeasureUp conference. Also looking to loan an overhead projector.
Drive TV & Kia Puts EV9 To The Ultimate Test In New TV Special
Have trepidations about purchasing an EV? This eight-part TV show's for you. Simply can't afford one? Watch on, anyway.
WPC Group & NextGen Jobs Recruit InsideOut For PR Account
As much as you love adland, do you often think you'd be better off had you become a plumber? Prove mum was right here.
“She’s A National Treasure For Australia And A Human Treasure For The Planet” – Warner Bros’ Josh Goldstine on Margot Robbie, Barbie And Marketing
Barbie was undoubtedly the marketing success story of 2023. B&T still leading the 'Margot for PM' calls into 2024.
M&C Saatchi Group Invite Emerging Artists To Create Visions Of A Better Future
Does the bowl of fruit on your kitchen bench need immortalising? Top news as M&C Saatchi's art initiative returns.
Thorpie & Matildas Superstars Join The Amazing Race Australia: Celebrity Edition.
Thought to yourself "that Ian Thorpe fellow's been quiet of late"? 10's celeb edition of Amazing Race is where it's at.
Greenpeace Launches Heartbreaking Call To End Deforestation Via Dropbear
As much as B&T applauds Greenpeace, its ads leave you feeling like you got the gas, water & phone bill on the same day.
Smith’s Unveil New ‘Joy is a Simple Recipe’ Brand Platform Via Goodby Silverstein & Partners
The only thing better than a round of beers arriving is the sight of a bag of Smith's between the drink carrier's teeth.
ABC Launches Two New Channels Combining Kids, Family & General Titles
Among the many joys of having young children is that they will seriously watch any old shit on TV.
Wests Tigers Lose One Million Dollar Sponsorship Deal In Hagipantelis Fallout
The question has to be asked - do Tigers play on an ancient Indian burial ground given their ongoing spate of bad luck?
Ads That Entertain And Surprise Consumers Perform Best In Asia-Pacific – WARC report
New study reveals humorous ads "entertain and surprise consumers". Here's hoping Julia Morris doesn't get any ideas.
Aussie Employees Want AI At Work And Won’t Wait For Companies To Catch Up, Study Finds
Someone has clearly told Aussie workers AI wont steal their jobs, but might help them get to the pub more quickly.
Introducing Sam, Mamamia’s New AI-Powered Programmatic Audio Offering For Brands
Mamamia one of the first indie publishers to be really playing in the AI space. Well, the only one really.
OMA Appoints Motio’s Adam Cadwallader & JCDecaux David Watkins To Board Of Directors
New appointments to the OMA board of directors today. Monthly meetings' finger sandwiches to remain strictly egg or ham.
Bastion’s Harry Roth Selected For Cannes Lions Creative Academy
Bastion's Harry Roth off to this year's Cannes creative academy. May wear his Wallabies jersey to ruffle feathers.
TV Ratings (08/05/2024): Seven Has A Huge Night As News & Quiz Shows Dominate
News & quiz shows dominate last night's TV viewing. Further proof of our interest in the Middle East & steak knives.
Network 10 Wants Government Help To Save Regional Broadcast TV
Could Farmer Wants A Wife help Network Ten out of this mess?
Royalties Generated By Aussie Artists On Spotify Reached Nearly $275M In 2023
Royalties generated by Aussie artists on Spotify in 2023 hit $275 million. Shannon Noll's contribution reached $4.45.
eBay Study: Aussies’ Growing Love For Pre-loved Fashion Soaring To New Heights
New study reveals Aussies' love of second-hand fashion. Meaning it's now very cool to smell of moth balls.