Cost benefit pathways to zero emission housing: Implications for household cash-flows in Melbourne

Sustainability literature highlights the potential of the residential sector to contribute to significant greenhouse gas emissions reductions. In this context, recent housing policies, not only in Australia but internationally, have addressed the implementation of minimum energy efficient housing standards. Recent UK, European and USA policy articulates a goal of zero emission housing by 2020. In Australia, while research has indicated that the introduction of the '5 stars' mandatory building envelope performance standard has resulted in a 20% increase in energy efficiency over pre 5 star homes, housing energy efficiency remains a contested policy area.