The study,which is being replicated for every major Australian city,will help drive the Commonwealth’s policy on low-energy and more climate-friendly cityscapes as it works toward net-zero emissions.
Professor Mat Santamouris,from UNSW’s School of Built Environment,said the comprehensive study of 17 building types,from low-lying residential to shopping centres,showed that ridding the skyline of dark roofing would also reduce energy consumption by 30 per cent,and in some circumstances,40 per cent.
“This is extremely high,” said Professor Santamouris,the lead author on the report,which also involved contributors from India,Greece and the US.
A Department of Industry,Science,Energy and Resources spokesperson said the UNSW study will help ensure “transparency and knowledge sharing about cool roof technologies and the costs and benefits of their use under different conditions”.
The spokesperson said the government would support “voluntary” measures to create more environmentally sustainable buildings. Other areas in the world,including California,have cool roofing requirements in their building energy codes.
The NSW government has already mandated lighter-coloured roofs in Sydney’s south-west growth area to dial back the heat island effect,with Planning Minister Rob Stokes saying Australia’s obsession with dark roofing was leading to “astronomical electricity bills”.