The Business Council of Australia welcomes the opportunity to engage with the Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water on the National Energy Performance Strategy Consultation Paper.

Improving energy performance (the demand side) is as important as improving energy production (the supply side) as we transition toward a nationally integrated energy system that delivers affordable, reliable and clean energy to Australian households and businesses.

The paper identifies the key benefits from improvements in energy performance, including:

• lowering energy consumer costs which flows on to international competitiveness and growth
• reducing emissions cost effectively in pursuit of Australia’s national determined contributions
• taking pressure off the energy supply system as it transitions to greater renewables penetration
• improving health and comfort for vulnerable households.

Read the full submission here.