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The last decades have witnessed a rapid development of green building developments at a global scale, as a measure to deal with various challenges related to climate change especially environmental issues. Australia is no exception. It is not unusual that extra resources such as cost are required for developing green buildings compared to conventional buildings. To justify extra upfront resources required for green building developments, a variety of tools have been developed such as life cycle assessment and life cycle costing. These two tools have been used in some projects in order to evaluate the cost and benefits of green buildings from a life cycle perspective. However, the uptake of life cycle assessment and life cycle costing are generally slow in the construction industry. This paper presents a critical review of green building evaluation from life cycle perspective. In particular, the use of life cycle assessment and life cycle costing in green building evaluation in Australia is reviewed. Knowledge gap is presented and future research agenda is proposed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: As concerns about rising fossil fuel prices, energy security, and climate change increase, renewable energy can play a key role in producing local, clean, and inexhaustible energy to supply Australia’s growing demand for electricity, heat, and transportation fuel. Renewable energy is an essential part of Australia’s low emissions energy mix and this energy is important to its energy security. Australia has some of the best renewable energy resources in the world. This paper will focus on the impact of these renewable energies in Australia. This study shows that Australia has the potential to secure its long term energy future through focus and encouragement on increasing utilisation of renewable energy. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Climate change due to greenhouse gases emission from fossil fuels has prompted several governments to channel resources in the commercial utilisation of renewable energy sources. Solar energy is one of the renewable energy sources that is highly untapped and underutilized. Australia has the highest average solar radiation per square metre of any continent in the world. This paper will focus on the need to improve solar energy utilisation in Australia, challenges facing it and the future benefits. This study shows successfully storing and transferring solar energy will ensure that this energy source will make a significant contribution to Australia''s electricity grid supply in the future and Australia will be well positioned to assist in meeting its growing clean energy demand. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]