The Climate Institute works to minimise its eco-footprint and promote sustainability within its office operations by offsetting emissions and locating its headquarters in a resource-efficient 5 Star Green Star-rated office space.
A five-hectare site has been set aside at The Climate Institute Chair Mark Wootton’s Jigsaw Farms, in Hamilton, Victoria, to offset the activities of The Climate Institute. The site is composed of permanent mixed indigenous planting, and is Kyoto-compliant. Based on National Carbon Accounting Toolbox modelling, the site sequesters 19,767 tons of CO2e during its lifetime.
Additionally, all flights taken by The Climate Institute’s staff, consultants and international guests are calculated and offset on a calendar year basis through Climate Friendly (www.climatefriendly.com). All carbon credits purchased through Climate Friendly are sourced from accredited renewable energy projects that contribute to sustainable development. The Climate Institute’s Sydney headquarters are located in office space retrofitted by the Green Building Council of Australia which has a 5 Star Green Star Office Interiors V1.1 rating, signifying Australian excellence in environmentally sustainable design.
The office space has been built using a minimal amount of materials, with exposed ceilings that reduce the use of plasterboard/ceiling tiles and recyclable carpet held down by adhesive stickers instead of glue. A grey water system collects the water used in the sinks and dishwasher, filters out all solids, and then reuses the water to flush toilets and urinals.
A highly energy efficient displacement air conditioning system heats and cools the space, and indoor plant walls act as biofilters to turn CO2 into oxygen. Lighting within the office is connected to an automated system, which provides energy efficiency, and meeting and boardroom lights are run on a sensor system. Automated blinds are installed on every window to control light penetration, air and heat.
The office is designed to both achieve environmental excellence and provide a healthy workspace for its employees.