Impact pathways

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From 2012-2019 the CRC for Low Carbon Living was Australia's leading research and innovation hub dedicated to driving the nation's built environment sector towards a globally competitive low carbon future. Visit our legacy knowledge hub Builtbetter for all our resources and find our Exit Report 2012-2019 here

Australia’s shift to low carbon living is powered by eight key pathways. These include harnessing solar energy through smart, integrated building products; using low-carbon materials like recycled timber and geopolymer concrete; and mainstreaming low-energy buildings with strong performance data. The focus expands to entire precincts with carbon-smart planning tools, while evidence-based policy work supports affordable, sustainable choices. Community engagement and “living labs” bring low carbon lifestyles to life, and education programs ensure the next generation is ready to lead the charge. Together, these pathways pave the way for a cleaner, smarter, and more sustainable future.
Impact Pathway 1

Sunlight is the most abundant and clean energy source available. It's also one of the most under-used. By developing integrated technologies for harnessing (and managing) this plentiful natural resource more efficiently, we aspire to make active solar roofing and building products the default solution for all buildings.

We're developing aesthetically pleasing products and integrated systems that deliver improved multi-functional performance across solar power generation (electricity) and thermal management of buildings (heating, insulation, ventilation, shading). Innovative green designs with two or three-in-one benefits are expected to improve economic returns and drive widespread adoption.

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Impact Pathway 2

At the foundation of the low carbon built environment is an emerging breed of construction materials manufactured using techniques that minimise energy consumption and associated carbon emissions. By independently researching these ‘low embedded carbon’ materials and barriers to their uptake, we aspire to drive their adoption until they are a mainstream solution regularly specified by the construction industry.

We're studying the design, durability and field performance of low embedded carbon construction materials such as geopolymer concrete, recycled timber and hybrid systems to prove their commercial viability. By showcasing their application and developing new performance standards, we aim to drive market growth and uptake.

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Impact Pathway 3

The provision of quantified evidence to genuinely deliver low carbon outcomes – and how significant those outcomes are – will play a critical role in driving widespread adoption of low carbon buildings across the board. To provide that evidence and confidence, we're critically examining the designs and modelling the performance of several new and existing low energy Australian buildings.

Taking an integrated approach to design, development and operation, we aim to develop proxy indicators for energy efficiency that will motivate low carbon building, purchasing and leasing behaviour.

This work also involves showcasing the technical and economic performance of low carbon technology, materials and designs to consumers and the construction industry, and aims to inform the development of Australian building codes and standards.

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Impact Pathway 4

For true low carbon living, we need to extend the focus beyond individual buildings to the neighbourhood as a whole – considering aspects such as transport, infrastructure, land use and waste management. Through the creation of precinct design and assessment methods and tools, the CRCLCL aspires to drive new policies and practices for property development, where energy and carbon performance targets are routinely embedded at the planning and design stage.

We're developing a series of novel and effective Precinct Information Models (PIMs) – comparative 3D virtual models of carbon performance within precincts that will provide the functionality and scientifically validated evidence required for government and industry acceptance of low carbon developments. Resilient, low carbon precincts that also promote health and productivity benefits will be fundamental to the sustainability of our 21st century cities.

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Impact Pathway 5

To support legislative carbon reduction initiatives and policies, the CRCLCL  worked with all levels of government to explore the social, environmental and financial benefits of low carbon policy actions. Ensuring a high triple bottom line return for Australia will be a key factor for the government to implement policy change.

Detailed models of future energy use in the built environment will help test how take-up of alternative energy services might be affected by factors such as different policy scenarios and varying economic incentives. A particular concern will be to investigate how policy scenarios can be changed to make low carbon living more affordable, especially for low-income households.

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Impact Pathway 6

We aspire to generate a wave of change towards low carbon living practices among the community, supported by local government planning approvals and incentives. To stimulate both dialogue and demand, CRCLCL research teams developed collaborative engagement and consultation processes among the community, developers and local government.

We're working with local councils and community groups across Australia to examine attitudes to and preferences around alternative technology and lifestyle options. The establishment of new perspectives on the deeper psychological and cultural barriers to low carbon living in Australia will help form new low carbon living adoption strategies to drive broader community transformation.

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Impact Pathway 7

Creating buzz around low carbon living will help generate demand and drive adoption. We’re establishing a number of living laboratories around Australia to help demonstrate the benefits of sustainable living and generate positive narratives for low carbon lifestyles.

These living laboratories are ‘learn by doing’ environments involving local councils, developers, residents and businesses that integrate, test and evaluate low carbon living solutions in-situ. Asking the question, “what does a sustainable lifestyle look like?”, we're testing options and ideas for a range of localities featuring alternative climatic conditions, infrastructure provision, dwelling types, household types and socio-demographic profiles.

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Impact Pathway 8

Low carbon living is important now, but it is vital for the future. It’s essential the CRCLCL leaves a legacy that will help drive the widespread adoption of sustainable living practices over the coming years. This is dependent on inspiring the next generation of researchers, built environment specialists and communities through education and training.

We have a strong commitment to creating and delivering a suite of education, training and professional development programs targeted at a range of community, trade and professional groups. In addition to the 80+ PhD and Masters students that will be directly involved with the CRC, we aspire to embed a low carbon research agenda in Australian universities by establishing five nodes of excellence.

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