How PICA Group is supporting sustainability

Helping communities become more sustainable

PICA Group is taking steps to create a more sustainable future for our community. We are proud to actively be involved in several national and local initiatives aimed at improving the sustainability of apartment buildings.

Our journey to net zero with CitySwitch

PICA Group is on a mission to create positive, vibrant, and flourishing communities where people can thrive. As part of our environmental, social and governance (ESG) strategy, we have set a goal to reach net zero emissions by 2035.

We are proud to support this goal by joining CitySwitch – Australia’s flagship decarbonisation program for office-based businesses. CitySwitch is helping us to chart a pathway to net zero, which, in turn, will drive two of our key ESG focus areas: reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and enhancing resource efficiency and waste management.

Together, let’s build a brighter future for our communities.

CitySwitch is a decarbonisation program for office-based businesses. The program’s 213+ members account for approximately  10% of commercial office space across Australia. CitySwitch provides support, networks and resources to help businesses chart a path towards net-zero emissions. 85% of members are already formally measuring and reporting scope 1 and 2 emissions annually, and PICA Group is proud to be joining them from 2024 onwards.

Aligning with our goal of enhancing communities, we have undertaken an ESG materiality assessment and established our first ESG strategy. Our first materiality assessment has determined the environmental, social, and governance factors most significant to our company, customers, and shareholders. We’re now in the process of implementing a range of initiatives designed to achieve our goals of environmental stewardship, social responsibility and strong governance.

Greenhouse gases are emitted from activities across nearly every sector of Australia’s economy – services offered in the built environment are no exception. The Australian Government’s Net Zero Plan is designed to support the various sectors to reach net zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050. To do our bit in achieving this goal, PICA Group aims to reach net zero in scope 1 and 2 emissions by 2030 and scope 3 emissions by 2035.

  • Scope 1: Direct emissions from our business operations.
  • Scope 2: Indirect emissions generated from purchased energy.
  • Scope 3: Indirect emissions generated upstream or downstream in our value chain

Join the community of over 200,000 property owners who have partnered with us to help care for their properties.

Before renewing your agreement, take a moment to compare your options. Our quick and easy form can be completed in less than 30 seconds.

North Sydney Council: Futureproofing Apartments program

This program was launched to reduce the cost of living and greenhouse gas (GHG) pollution. It targets small to medium sized strata properties and appoints an assessor to review and identify reduction opportunities in energy, water and heating usage, as well as solar viability.

The savings potential with energy upgrades is likely to also help reduce the strata fees for many property owners. The findings can further help quantify the amount of wastage and make recommendations for improvements to owners corporations.

Aligned with our company’s aim of enhancing communities, we are happy to announce that North Sydney Council selected 18 managed buildings out of 32 entries to participate in the program.

Our successful strata properties and branches are:

City of Sydney: Smart Green Apartment Program

Smart Green Apartments is an award-winning program organised by City of Sydney to help more than 50 buildings become more energy and water efficient, saving thousands of dollars on running and maintenance costs.

With selection being based on an evaluation of energy and water consumption, size and complexity and the capacity of owners corporations to implement upgrades, PICA Group is excited to be amongst the first in Australia to have a NABERS for Apartment Building rating and to share in the journey of creating a more sustainable future.

Ratings are conducted by a qualified in-house assessor, who is authorised by the National Administrator on behalf of the Federal Government.

 

Our successful strata properties and branches are:

Waverley Council: Building Futures Program

Building Futures is a new program by Waverley Council that aims to reduce shared energy usage in community apartment buildings.

This initiative is saving tens of thousands of dollars for owner corporations by reducing water use, energy use, waste and greenhouse gas emissions for the common property.

Each building receives free assessments, recommended upgrades, water fixtures and implementation support to provide the best opportunity for sustainable community living.

 

Our successful strata properties and branches are:

NABERS for Apartment Buildings

PICA Group is a proud partner with NABERS for Apartment Buildings, offering rating assessments for strata properties. Based on the energy and water efficiency of a strata building’s common property, NABERS (National Australian Built Environment Rating System) for Apartment Buildings grants a rating using a six-star scale.

Having a NABERS rating has assisted many buildings to save thousands of dollars by becoming more energy and water efficient and save on running and maintenance costs. So don’t miss out – increase your property value with a NABERS for Apartment Buildings rating, and enquire about getting a building assessment.

Ratings are conducted by a qualified assessor, who is authorised by the National Administrator on behalf of the Federal Government. Your assessor will work with your committee to compile all data and visit your property and submit the property’s application to the technical team at NABERS. Once you have received your rating certificate our team can work with you to plan and discuss strategies on how to improve the building’s rating.

CommunityUtilities

CommunityUtilities is designed to help reduce the cost of community living across Australia. Through a range of expense reduction programs, our specialised in-house team work with a panel of Australia’s top brokers to help committees, owners, and residents reduce the cost of their electricity and gas bills.

Find out how to support sustainability

You can support sustainability and maximise savings on your utility bills and running costs for your strata property tooTo find out more on CommunityGreen and related information, contact us using the form on this page and we’ll be in touch soon.