Presidential endorsement for Docklands
Docklands’ environmental credentials have been internationally recognised with Victoria Harbour being chosen as one of 16 projects worldwide to be included in the Clinton Climate Initiative (CCI) global Climate Positive Development Program.
Former US president Bill Clinton made the announcement at the C40 Summit in Seoul, South Korea, on May 19.
This means Victoria Harbour will be held up to the rest of the world as an example of excellence in the battle against climate change. And in return Victoria Harbour developer Lend Lease will get assistance from the Climate Positive Development Program to develop the rest of the precinct.
Only two Australian projects were chosen and both are VicUrban developments. The other local project is a mixed-use development at Officer, on Melbourne’s south-eastern edge.
When the initial 16 projects are completed, nearly one million people will live and work in Climate Positive Communities. These communities will be located in Melbourne; Palhoca, Brazil; Toronto, Canada; Victoria, Canada; Ahmedabad, India; Jaipur, India; outside Panama City, Panama; Pretoria, South Africa; Johannesburg, South Africa; Seoul, South Korea; Stockholm, Sweden; London, UK; San Francisco, USA and Destiny Florida, USA.
To reduce the net greenhouse gas emissions of their Climate Positive Development projects to below zero, property developers and local governments will agree to work in partnership on specific areas of activity. This includes implementing economically viable innovations in buildings, the generation of clean energy, waste management, water management, transportation and outdoor lighting systems.
Last year, for the first time, half the world’s population (3.2 billion people) lived in cities, and that figure is expected to grow to 70 per cent by 2050. Cities also occupy just 2 per cent of the world’s landmass, yet are responsible for more than two-thirds of global energy use and greenhouse gas emissions. How cities change and grow is therefore a critical component to tackling the climate crisis.
VicUrban CEO Pru Sanderson said VicUrban was honoured to be invited to join the Climate Positive Development Program.
“The second decade of development at Docklands will need to make climate change a priority. Lend Lease already has a good track record in building some of the most environmentally sustainable buildings in Docklands. I am delighted that they will be continuing to lead through the Victoria Harbour project,” she said.
COO Lend Lease Asia Pacific (APAC) and Global Head of Development, David Hutton, said: “Our participation in the Climate Positive Development Program further demonstrates our commitment to sustainable development in Victoria Harbour, currently Australia’s largest and most prestigious waterfront development.”
“We have already delivered a precinct packed with some of the most sustainable buildings in Australia. The Gauge, at 825 Bourke St in Melbourne, uses a gas-fired cogeneration system to provide base building electricity, and a black water treatment plant that recycles 92 per cent of water each year in the building. Features such as these have contributed to The Gauge receiving a number of industry awards acknowledging its leadership position in sustainable development, including the inaugural Built Environment Award at the Victorian Government’s 2009 Premier’s Sustainability Awards.”
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