Green Star FAQs
Do projects need to provide a Zero Carbon Action Plan if the building is all-electric?
This FAQ was originally published on 30/09/2022 and updated on 30/05/2025 to clarify the pathway for the Energy Source - Industrial credit.
No, projects targeting the Energy Source credit, the Energy Source - Industrial sector specific credit or the Tenant Energy Source - Industrial sector specific credit comply automatically with the Zero Carbon Action Plan criteria in Minimum Expectation where the building meets the following requirements of the same credit, and will not use electricity generated from fossil fuels through cogeneration or trigeneration:
- Exceptional Performance in the Energy Source credit from Green Star Buildings v1 and Green Star Performance v2
- Credit Achievement in the Energy Source – Industrial sector specific credit from Green Star Buildings v1
- Exceptional Performance in the Tenant Energy Source – Industrial sector specific credit from Green Star Buildings v1
For the purposes of the Energy Source - Industrial sector specific credit, all major sources of energy use under the control of the building owner and any non-electricity energy provided for tenant use (such as cooking, heating, hot water and process loads) are to be all-electric and fossil fuel free.
For the purposes of the Tenant Energy Source - Industrial sector specific credit, all tenant loads such as cooking, heating, hot water and process loads are to be all-electric and fossil fuel free.
This FAQ is related to the following Rating Tools, Categories or Credits:
- Green Star Buildings v1 / Positive / 23 Energy Source
- Green Star Buildings v1.0 / Positive / 23 Energy Source
These FAQs are:
- provided as additional technical assistance for Green Star users.
- optional and free to use on Green Star projects.
When used on Green Star projects, make sure to:
- state the FAQ number on the Submission Template.
- click on "Download" to save the FAQ.
- include the PDF in the submission.
The GBCA reserves the right to add or remove FAQ at our discretion.
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