Summer questions: Green Building Council’s Andrew Eagles on New Year resolutions, outlook for 2025

Andrew Eagles of the Green Building Council is going camping these summer holidays. Photo / LinkedIn

Green Building Council chief executive Andrew Eagles is going camping these summer holidays and wants to bike less and run more in 2025. Here, he gives his outlook for the year ahead.

How would you describe 2024 for your business?

The council has seen strong engagement in education, training online and in person, and also our events, with both of our major summits selling out and hosting over 30 training and engagement events. Of course, 2024 had residential and commercial construction slowing, and many in the industry struggling. That’s meant many of our members are downsizing, business is slowing. When new build slows then green ratings slow at a similar rate. We have though seen our strongest year ever in relation to energy efficiency ratings of existing buildings. We’ve also taken the time to provide awesome new guides and research such as the free guide on how to build lower carbon healthier homes and the research on the sales and rental premiums for green-certified office buildings.

What will be your biggest business challenges in 2025?

The slowdown in construction is absolutely the biggest challenge for us and our members. We are really aware of, and feel for, all those firms impacted by the downturn. With architects, engineers, consultants, and a raft of industry professionals relying on a steady pipeline of new buildings coming through, it’s vital that we’re able to provide certainty and continue to deliver homes and buildings.

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What opportunities do you see in 2025?

We’ve got a few things to look forward to – we’re transitioning to a new version of our commercial sustainability certification Green Star, which will help deliver even better low-carbon spaces. Many of our clients do not build new buildings but they do fit out their offices with a new design. We are seeking feedback on how fit-outs can deliver on health, wellbeing and sustainability. We look forward to hearing from the sector and enabling more offices to deliver better places for people. There remain a raft of policies the Government can, and should, take up to empower our sector to do more to deliver climate outcomes, and we’ll be setting out the opportunity for Government to improve the resilience of the grid, reduce running costs for Kiwi families and businesses. In particular, the consultation on H1 provides an opportunity to have new build homes built to manage overheating risk, an increasing issue many Kiwi families are having to grapple with.

What will it take to kickstart New Zealand’s economy?

The loss of Government contracts has been huge for the building sector. We need to ensure a stable pipeline of infrastructure and housing projects are supported and empowered to continue.

How will a Trump presidency affect the geopolitical dynamics?

It’s unclear how dramatic the change of presidency will affect things. However, he has already signalled a backtrack on the pivotal climate action underway – namely the Inflation Reduction Act.

What are the concrete actions your company has taken to reduce climate change?

We continue to support the sector to upskill by providing a growing number of building professionals with resources, training and events aimed at slashing running costs, reducing emissions and creating awesome, healthy buildings.

How are you increasing diversity in your business?

Despite being a small team of around 30, we’re fortunate to have staff from Australasia, Europe, South America, Asia, Africa, Russia, and North America. We benefit from a raft of different cultures, backgrounds, ages, and genders – and will continue to provide a welcoming environment to all.

What is your New Year’s resolution?

In 2025 I want to get more businesses aware of the benefits of great buildings. Personally, I’m loving my run into work, so my goal for the year is to leave the bike and put on the trainers more regularly. It’s great for you, the environment, and no traffic!

Where and how are you holidaying this summer?

I’ll be camping in Aotearoa’s beautiful great outdoors. Wish us luck and sunny days.

What would you recommend as a good podcast to listen to over Summer?

The Rest is Politics or Short History Of. This helps with tricky history questions from kids.

Anne Gibson has been the Herald’s property editor for 24 years, written books and covered property extensively here and overseas.