Green Star™
BlueScope's environmental and sustainability credentials are recognised by a number of national and international green building rating tools and schemes, including Green Star™.
Launched by the Green Building Council of Australia (GBCA) in 2003, Green Star is an internationally recognised rating system setting the standard for healthy, resilient, positive buildings and places. Developed for the Australian environment, Green Star has certified thousands of sustainable fitouts, buildings, homes, and communities across the country.
The Green Star rating tools assess the sustainability attributes of a project through impact categories. Each category groups a number of issues related to a certain sustainability impact; these are known as ‘credits’, for which varying numbers of points are awarded. Each credit defines a clear outcome that a project must meet. Once all credits are assessed, the total number of points achieved is tallied and a certified rating may be awarded.
There are various Green Star rating tools, including Buildings, Design & As Built, Communities, Homes, Interiors, Performance, and Railway Stations.
How can steel manufactured by BlueScope in Australia assist in gaining Green Star credits?
The inherent properties of steel - strong and durable - translate to a range of design possibilities that can help accrue points under Green Star credits.
Steel can be an ideal material for adding volume to existing buildings and can allow historic facades to be incorporated into new designs. The durability of steel also allows it to be successfully used in adaptive reuse and designs for disassembly.
The strength-to-weight ratio of steel also means that large spatial volumes can be enclosed in a single space which, along with other design factors, can translate to better levels of natural ventilation, light, heating, and cooling. This can help improve both energy efficiency and indoor environment quality.
COLORBOND® steel with Thermatech®1 solar reflectance technology may also help accrue points in the Heat Island Effect / Heat Resilience credits by helping to reflect the sun’s energy away from the roof and the building, which could help to reduce the energy use associated with mechanical air conditioning.
Notes:
- COLORBOND® steel for roofing and walling's core colour range in the Classic and Matt finish (excluding Night Sky®) features our scientifically designed Thermatech® solar reflectance technology. Thermatech® technology may not be available in other colours, and is not included in COLORBOND® steel Metallic, COLORBOND® Coolmax® steel, COLORBOND® Intramax® steel or SUPERDURA® Stainless steel. Further information is available in this article on STEEL SELECT®. Results will depend on roof colour, level and location of insulation, type and location of building shape and function.
Green Star - Responsible Products Framework
A number of BlueScope products have an Environmental Product Declaration (EPD) and GreenRate™ Level A certification, and all are made from steel manufactured at Port Kembla Steelworks, a ResponsibleSteel™ certified site. All of these are recognised initiatives within the Green Star rating tools and may contribute to a project’s Green Star rating through the Responsible Products credits, provided proof of certification is included in the Green Star submission.
BlueScope has published an informative flyer about the Green Star Responsible Products Framework. It helps to simplify the program and guide stakeholders on how they may earn Green Star points by using BlueScope products. Download PDF: The Green Star Responsible Products Framework - BlueScope Products.
More information on initiatives and how products can contribute to a Green Star rating can be found at Responsible Products Framework | Green Building Council of Australia (gbca.org.au).
| Green Star Buildings v1 - credits | Classification | Responsible Product Value (RPV) | Initiatives | BlueScope Products |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Good Practice Products | 10 | ResponsibleSteel™ | Products manufactured from steel produced at the Port Kembla Steelworks, including TRU-SPEC® steel, EMBAR® steel, etc. |
|
Best Practice Products | 15 | ResponsibleSteel™ + EPD | COLORBOND® steel for fencing2, TUBEFORM® steel3, ZINC HI-TEN® steel3, ZINCFORM® steel3, and ZINCANNEAL® steel3, Hot rolled coil. |
|
Best Practice Products | 21 | ResponsibleSteel™ + EPD + GreenRate™ Level A | Select COLORBOND® steel products2, ZINCALUME® steel3, TRUECORE® steel3, DECKFORM® steel3, GALVABOND® steel3, GALVASPAN® steel3, XLERPLATE® steel, and Welded Beams and Columns. |
2. EPDs are available for COLORBOND® steel for roofing and walling, COLORBOND® steel Metallic, COLORBOND® Ultra steel, COLORBOND® Coolmax® steel, COLORBOND® steel for fencing, COLORBOND® Intramax® steel and COLORBOND® steel for insulated panels, in select base material thickness (BMTs). Please refer to the corresponding EPD for the full details of the products covered.
3. EPDs are available for products at select metal coating classes and base metal thicknesses (BMTs). Please refer to the corresponding EPD for the full details of the products covered.
BlueScope is also a verified steel manufacturer under the Steel Sustainability Australia (SSA) certification program. A number of BlueScope products are verified as meeting best practice ESG standards (SSA Credit 4.1) in the manufacturing of semi-finished steel products, which can be of help to fabrication and downstream processing businesses seeking SSA certification.
SSA certification is recognised under the Responsible Products Framework. Products supplied by steel fabricators and downstream processors with SSA Level 3 certification are recognised as “Best Practice Products”, while those that achieve SSA Level A2 and Level 2B certifications are considered “Good Practice Products”.
Green Star - Buildings
| Green Star Credit | Applicable Requirements |
|---|---|
| Credit 5 – Responsible Procurement | BlueScope's approach to responsible sourcing practices and conduct may help demonstrate compliance with responsible procurement practices, including human rights, labour practices, environment, etc. For more information on BlueScope's commitment to Health, Safety, Environment and Community (HSEC) see our HSEC Policy, Code of Conduct and Sustainability Reporting. |
| Credit 6 – Responsible Structure Credit 7 – Responsible Envelope Credit 8 – Responsible Systems Credit 9 – Responsible Finishes |
Many of BlueScope's products can score points under the Responsible Products Framework through the following initiatives: Best Practice products: A number of BlueScope products have an Environmental Product Declaration (EPD) and GreenRate™ Level A certification, and all are made from steel manufactured at Port Kembla Steelworks, a ResponsibleSteel™ certified site. A combination of these initiatives can help in meeting the responsible product value (RPV) for a "Best Practice" product.
All BlueScope products made from steel manufactured at the Port Kembla Steelworks in NSW come from a ResponsibleSteel™ certified site, meeting the responsible product value (RPV) for a "Good Practice" product.
See the full list of BlueScope's certifications and credentials. |
| Credit 19 – Heat Resilience | Select BlueScope roofing products, including COLORBOND® steel products, may comply with minimum Solar Reflectance Index (SRI) requirements, typically light colours:
For more information contact BlueScope Steel Direct on 1800 800 789 or email steeldirect@bluescopesteel.com. |
| Credit 21 – Upfront Carbon Emissions | BlueScope can provide product-specific 3rd party verified Environmental Product Declarations (EPDs) to support claims of carbon in products, as required by the credit. |
| Credit 26 – Life Cycle Impacts | This credit encourages the use of local data for LCAs, preferably from EPDs certified to the EN 15804 standard, which take precedence over generic or global data:
|
2. EPDs are available for COLORBOND® steel for roofing and walling, COLORBOND® steel Metallic, COLORBOND® Ultra steel, COLORBOND® Coolmax® steel, COLORBOND® steel for fencing, COLORBOND® Intramax® steel and COLORBOND® steel for insulated panels, in select base material thickness (BMTs). Please refer to the corresponding EPD for the full details of the products covered.
3. EPDs are available for products at select metal coating classes and base metal thicknesses (BMTs). Please refer to the corresponding EPD for the full details of the products covered.
Green Star - Design and As Built v1.3
| Green Star Credit | Applicable Requirements |
|---|---|
| Credit 19 - Life Cycle Impacts Credit 19B.2 - Life Cycle Impacts - Steel |
Various BlueScope steel products depending on strength grade and application can help:
|
| Credit 20.1 – Responsible Building Materials – Structural and Reinforcing Steel | BlueScope meets the following "responsible steel maker" requirements:
|
| Credit 21 – Sustainable Products | Depending on the product, BlueScope may be able to meet the requirements to comply with this credit through the following initiatives:
|
| Credit 25 – Heat Island Effect | Select BlueScope roofing products, including COLORBOND® steel products, may comply with minimum Solar Reflectance Index (SRI) requirements, typically light colours:
For more information contact BlueScope Steel Direct on 1800 800 789 or email steeldirect@bluescopesteel.com. |
Green Star - Homes
| Green Star Credit | Applicable requirements |
|---|---|
| Heat Resilience | Select BlueScope roofing products, including COLORBOND® steel products, may comply with minimum Solar Reflectance Index (SRI) requirements, typically light colours:
For more information contact BlueScope Steel Direct on 1800 800 789 or email steeldirect@bluescopesteel.com. |
Green Star - Communities v1.1
| Green Star Credit | Applicable requirements |
|---|---|
| Credit 26 – Materials | BlueScope meets the following "responsible steel maker" requirements:
|
| Credit 31 – Heat Island Effect | Select BlueScope roofing products, including COLORBOND® steel products, may comply with minimum Solar Reflectance Index (SRI) requirements, typically light colours
|
Green Star - Interiors v1.3
| Green Star Credit | Applicable requirements |
|---|---|
| Credit 21 - Sustainable Products | Depending on the product, BlueScope may be able to meet the requirements to comply with this credit through the following initiatives:
|
Green Star - Performance v1.2
| Green Star Credit | Applicable requirements |
|---|---|
| Credit 21 - Procurement and Purchasing | BlueScope's approach to responsible sourcing practices and conduct may help demonstrate compliance with the requirements of '21.1 Sustainable Procurement Framework' (incl. human rights, labour practices and environmental aspects). For more information on BlueScope's commitment to Health, Safety, Environment and Community (HSEC) see our HSEC Policy, Code of Conduct and Sustainability Reporting. BlueScope can also help meet the "responsible steel maker" requirements of '21.3 Refurbishment Materials' criteria for steel:
|
Further information:
To find out more about how BlueScope steel products may enable certification for Green Star™ or other green building rating tools or schemes, please complete the form below or call Steel Direct on 1800 800 789. You can also visit the Green Building Council of Australia (GBCA) website.
Download PDF: The Green Star Responsible Products Framework - BlueScope Products
Further information is also available in the following articles:
- Environmental Product Declarations (EPDs)
- Achieving sustainable outcomes with steel
- BlueScope's sustainability certifications and credentials
Read about other Green Building rating tools and schemes: