Majority of architecture, building, construction and design businesses believe the Carbon Tax will not reduce carbon emissions

Media Release
16 July 2012

Majority of architecture, building, construction and design businesses believe the Carbon Tax will not reduce carbon emissions.

A survey of Australian businesses in the architecture, building, construction and design industries has revealed two thirds of these businesses do not support the Government’s Carbon Tax.

The 2012 survey conducted by Infolink.com.au of more than 1,126 businesses revealed 62 per cent of businesses in these industries do not believe the Carbon Tax will cause a reduction in carbon emissions.

Account Manager for Infolink.com.au, Chris Mottereshead said, “Many businesses in the architecture, building, construction and design industries are concerned about the impact the Carbon Tax will have on Australian businesses.”

Over half of the businesses surveyed stated they would not use alternative energy sources in the future due to the Carbon Tax.

However, when asked about their own sustainability efforts, 90 percent of businesses surveyed stated they already make an attempt to reduce their pollution and emissions where ever they can. Additionally, over half of the respondents already use alternative energy sources for sustainability. 

“These businesses are already making an effort to reduce their impact on the environment and believe that the tax won’t cause a significant reduction in carbon emissions,” said Mr Mottreshead.

Additionally, 62 per cent of those surveyed were concerned about greenhouse gas and emissions for the future with over half of businesses being concerned about climate change.

Comparison between industries:

70 percent of architecture businesses use alternative energy sources for sustainability as opposed to 54 percent of building and construction businesses.

•          Over half of the architecture businesses do not believe the Carbon Tax will cause a reduction in carbon emissions as opposed to 74 percent of building and construction businesses.
•          84 percent of building and construction businesses are concerned about the impact the Carbon Tax will have on Australian businesses as opposed to 73 percent of architecture businesses.

Business and non-business owners in the architecture, building, construction and design industries were surveyed about the effects of major issues in their industry including the economy, environmental issues and cost of resources.

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For further information or interviews please contact:

Rebecca Parry

CP Communications
Phone: 02 9460 9200

About Infolink.com.au
Infolink.com.au is one of Australia’s largest online directories for the architecture, building, construction and design sectors. Owned and operated by Catch, an online division of Reed Business Information Australia, Infolink.com.au provides a comprehensive central online source containing the latest product, company and industry news updates. www.infolink.com.au

About the survey
The survey of 1,126 Australian business and non-business owners in the architecture, building, construction and design industries over the age of 18 years was carried out over the months of May and June 2012, covering all states and territories of Australia and representing all demographics.

KEY FINDINGS FROM THE SURVEY

Architecture

•          73 percent of Architecture businesses that took part in the survey were concerned about the impact the Carbon Tax will have on Australian businesses.
•          54 percent of Architecture businesses that took part in the survey do not believe the Carbon Tax will cause a reduction in carbon emissions.
•          95 percent of Architecture businesses that took part in the survey do make an effort to reduce their pollution and emissions.
•          70 percent of Architecture businesses that took part in the survey do use alternative energy sources for sustainability.

Building and construction

•          84 percent of building and construction businesses that took part in the survey are concerned about the impact the Carbon Tax will have on Australian businesses.
•          74 percent of building and construction businesses that took part in the survey do not believe the Carbon Tax will cause a reduction in carbon emissions.
•          56 percent of building and construction businesses that took part in the survey will not use alternative energy sources in the future due to the Carbon Tax.
•          89 percent of building and construction businesses that took part in the survey do make an effort to reduce their pollution and emissions.
•          54 percent of building and construction businesses that took part in the survey do use alternative energy sources for sustainability.

Design

•          79 percent of design businesses that took part in the survey are concerned about the impact the Carbon Tax will have on Australian businesses.
•          68 percent of design businesses that took part in the survey do not believe the Carbon Tax will cause a reduction in carbon emissions.
•          53 percent of design businesses that took part in the survey will not use alternative energy sources in the future due to the Carbon Tax.
•          89 percent of design businesses that took part in the survey do make an effort to reduce their pollution and emissions.
•          68 percent of design businesses that took part in the survey do use alternative energy sources for sustainability.