The sustainability opportunity in HVAC&R is bigger than products: it's performance, people and follow-through

When people talk about sustainability in the built environment they typically start with lofty targets including net zero pathways, reporting frameworks and rating tools. But in practice, sustainable outcomes are delivered through everyday building performance. And few other sectors more directly impact that performance than HVAC&R and building services.

In Australia, commercial buildings are responsible for around a quarter of overall electricity use and 10% of total carbon emissions.¹ For many facility teams and building owners, that adds up to one of the most significant levers for sustainable performance inside control panels and plantrooms. The Australian Government data shows that in an average office building, HVAC accounts for around 40% of total building energy use (or roughly 70% of energy use in the base building).²

At ARBS, being the conduit that brings the whole sector together in one place provides us with a unique opportunity to witness the recurring conversations. The biggest sustainability conversations aren’t about whether emerging innovations exist, they’re about how this innovation can reliably be delivered at scale including installed, operated, serviced and understood by the people in the field and the control room.

1) The core of sustainable performance

There is increasing awareness that the performance of a building’s operations is fundamental to sustainable outcomes, instead of relying solely on design specifications. The space between the installation and functioning of building systems is where energy inefficiencies are hidden, costs can rise unexpectedly and sustainability record claims become unsubstantiated.

Accordingly, tools and initiatives that measure and track actual performance are invaluable. NABERS, for instance, has played a significant role in leading forward the commercial building market, with projections suggesting those working with NABERS Energy ratings have reduced energy costs by nearly $1 billion and emissions by over seven million tons since its inception in 1998.³

2) Capability drives sustainable performance

Upgrades targeting improved operations and sustainable performance require talented personnel capable of effectuating long-term change. However, the occupation of air conditioning and refrigeration mechanic remains chronically understaffed nationally, underlining just how vulnerable that skill pipeline is.⁴

What is becoming clearer is that the conversation around skills is evolving beyond headcounts towards operational capability and whether workers possess the resources, expertise and capacity to enhance performance within current asset inventories.

3) Operational integration is crucial

Practicality prevails in sustainability. Technologies and efficiencies that are intuitive to operate, simple to optimise and consistently accessible after installation, are those that will succeed. People that are juggling choices between uptime, economic and legal compliance, comfort and profitability and sustainable practices must be able to fit within all of those parameters.

This is why bringing the industry together remains so essential. Nothing beats seeing solutions side-by-side and having the conversations you can’t replicate online. ARBS is for industry, by industry — the place where the discussions that matter happen. ARBS 2026 (5–7 May, Melbourne) will gather the HVAC&R and building services industry together, including manufacturers, suppliers, contractors, consultants and facility managers, to showcase and explore what’s next. Registration is free and now open. Visit www.arbs.com.au/arbs2026/

_{1. https://www.dcceew.gov.au/energy/energy-efficiency/buildings/commercial-buildings
2. https://www.energy.gov.au/publications/hvac-factsheet-energy-breakdown
3. https://www.nabers.gov.au/sites/default/files/energy_efficiency_in_commercial_buildings_full_length_guide.pdf
4. https://www.jobsandskills.gov.au/sites/default/files/2024-10/2024%20OSL%20Key%20Findings%20and%20Insights%20Report%20—%20Appendices%20%281%29.pdf}