Electrify Everything – Electrification, Why It’s Important, Why It’s Urgent

Architect Jeremy McLeod, Co-Founder of architecture studio Breathe and Nightingale Housing, a not-for-profit housing organisation, argues that ‘electrifying everything’ offers the key to abating carbon emissions.

Climate change is real. It’s palpable in Australia, with devastating bushfires, prolonged droughts and destructive floods wreaking havoc across the nation. The urgency to combat this crisis is evident in our warming cities and sunken towns. The built environment is the single biggest emitter of carbon at 39 per cent of global emissions. By embracing electrification and transitioning to renewable energy sources, Australia has a unique opportunity to make significant progress towards a sustainable future.

Every appliance in every building needs to be electric – as architects, designers, developers and consumers, that’s our job. Then the energy companies need to do their part by exiting coal and gas in favour of renewables.

Breathe is a purpose-driven design studio. We care deeply about the planet and the people who occupy it; we use design as a weapon for good. Our design philosophy is “build less, give more”, which guides a sustainability strategy of simple, elegant reductionism rather than a technological systems approach. Reducing carbon emissions has become embedded in our design approach.

Electrifying everything offers the key to abating carbon emissions. Electrify everything: no more gas, ever. Every appliance in every building needs to be electric – as architects, designers, developers and consumers, that’s our job. Then the energy companies need to do their part by exiting coal and gas in favour of renewables.

Operational energy and operational carbon in the built environment pose the most significant risk to our environment. However, they also present the most straightforward and effective solutions. The first step is to electrify everything, eliminating the use of gas in favour of electric alternatives. Except for specific industrial applications, like furnaces for steel or glassmaking where the technology doesn’t currently exist for electric manufacturing, all buildings, homes and offices should be powered solely by electricity. Legislative progress has already been made, with gas banned for new buildings in the Australian Capital Territory and in Victoria from January 2024. We desperately need the other states to follow.

The second part of this equation involves decarbonising our energy grid by transitioning to renewable energy sources such as wind, hydro and large-scale solar. Australia is uniquely positioned to harness renewable energy due to its abundant sunlight and vast landmass. Currently, our country boasts the highest proportion of rooftop solar installations globally, demonstrating our potential for solar energy generation. By embracing electrification and seizing this opportunity, we can pave the way for a clean energy future. This transition is essential if we are to have any chance of achieving net zero emissions.

The second part of the equation involves decarbonising our energy grid by transitioning to renewable energy sources such as wind, hydro and large-scale solar.

Choosing to purchase 100 per cent certified GreenPower from energy suppliers drives the energy market to shift from coal and gas to large-scale renewables.

The urgency to act now is undeniable. Continuing to rely on gas will only perpetuate our carbon problem. Even the most efficient gas appliances still contribute to fossil fuel emissions. By electrifying everything, we not only reduce our carbon footprint but also create a market demand for renewable energy. Choosing to purchase 100 per cent certified GreenPower from energy suppliers drives the energy market to shift from coal and gas to large-scale renewables.

Architects, home owners and business owners play a crucial role in spearheading the transition to electrification. When building or renovating homes, the choice to electrify everything by opting for induction cooktops, heat-pump water heaters and energy-efficient air-conditioning systems can significantly contribute to carbon reduction while also reducing living costs (as per the 2023 Grattan Institute report, Getting Off Gas: Why, How, and Who Should Pay?).

Our choice of GreenPower decarbonises our electricity grid. This simple and powerful act is something we can all do.

Choosing an energy retailer that offers 100 per cent certified GreenPower is paramount. By purchasing GreenPower, individuals and businesses can have a remarkable impact on their carbon footprint by driving market change. It forces their energy supplier to invest in large-scale renewables to meet that demand. It is a simple and cost-effective decision that nets immediate results (choosing GreenPower currently costs Breathe less than $5 per week). Investing in GreenPower is more affordable than other sustainable measures like double glazing or additional insulation. It is the most effective and effortless way to cut our carbon emissions. Our choice to electrify everything enables a pathway to net zero. Our choice of GreenPower decarbonises our electricity grid. This simple and powerful act is something we can all do.

As architects, we have the opportunity to educate our clients on the importance of their choice of energy supply. The time to act is now.