Today, most new developments are required to meet specific ESD benchmarks before approval, and that’s where an ESD consultant makes things easier. 

For instance, in some Australian jurisdictions, tools like the Built Environment Sustainability Scorecard (BESS) mandate a minimum score of 50% to meet compliance standards. 

An ESD consultant guides you through this complex landscape. We assess everything from energy use to waste planning to make sure your project ticks all the right boxes. 

In this post, we’ll break down exactly what we do, how we do it, and how it benefits your project.

Understanding Environmental Sustainable Design (ESD) 

ESD, aka Environmental Sustainable Design, is the process of creating buildings that use resources wisely, minimise environmental impact, and provide long-term occupant comfort. In simple terms, it’s about designing spaces that work with the environment rather than against it. 

In building design, ESD focuses on energy, water, material, and waste management throughout the life of a project. As for operations, ESD makes sure that once a building is complete, it continues to perform at full capacity.

What Is an ESD Consultant? 

An ESD consultant is a sustainability specialist who helps design buildings with high energy ratings and environmental responsibility. They also ensure the buildings comply with planning permit requirements. 

Their role starts early in the design stage. An ESD consultant works closely with architects, builders, and developers to assess how the design performs in terms of energy use, waste reduction, and indoor comfort. 

Moreover, they prepare the necessary documentation and reports required by councils or certifiers, such as the BESS report. 

So, What Do We Actually Do as ESD Consultants?

If you think an ESD consultant only fills out forms or submits reports, you cannot be more wrong. Our ESD consultants work across every stage and development to guarantee your project meets requirements and supports sustainability. 

Here’s how our work typically looks: 

• Assessing the Design: We review plans to determine how elements like layout, orientation, materials, and shading affect energy performance and comfort. 
• Recommending Improvements: Our ESD consultant suggests design changes such as adjusting window placement, increasing insulation, and more.
• Preparing Sustainability Reports: They prepare documents such as Sustainable Design Assessments (SDAs), Sustainable Management Plans (SMPs), and BESS reports that demonstrate compliance with planning and building requirements. 
• Providing Ongoing Support: ESD consultants remain involved throughout construction and operation to ensure the design aligns with the goals. 

Why You’ll Want PassivEnergy on Your Next ESD Project

Let’s explore some of the perks that come from partnering with one of our ESD consultants and how it directly benefits your project. 

1. Simplifies Compliance

Council regulations can feel like walking through a maze. It’s because each municipality has its own ESD standards, documentation needs, and assessment tools. 

However, our experienced ESD consultants know exactly what’s required and, more importantly, what council look for. We prepare accurate sustainability reports that tick every box the first time around. 

2. Saves Much-Needed Costs

We make smart adjustments early to help you avoid unnecessary costs. Our ESD consultants use their expertise to identify even the smallest design issues and recommend practical changes, such as repositioning windows or selecting the right glazing.

Early design improvements not only boost energy performance but also reduce unnecessary expenses. In fact, a study in Frontiers found that well-planned passive design can lower household energy use by up to 35.4%.

3. Improves Occupant Well-being

A building designed with ESD principles performs better when people experience it first-hand. Some ways that we recommend to improve the interior include using natural light, cross-ventilation, and thermal balance. 

In other words, our ESD consultants not only build efficiently, but also build better spaces for people to live or work in. 

4. Future-Proofing Building Designs

Regulations around sustainability are tightening every year, and what’s acceptable today may not meet the standard tomorrow. That’s why our ESD consultants check if your building is ready for that future. 

We design with upcoming policy shifts and environmental changes in mind. And you’d be surprised to know that only 34% of future demand for low-carbon workspace will be met in the next few years. 

This shows there’s a huge supply-and-demand gap for future-fit buildings, which these consultants can help address. 

Choose an ESD Consultant You Can Trust

Even though there are many ESD consultants, not all offer the same level of care. Moreover, when it comes to meeting council requirements and creating genuinely sustainable designs, the right consultant can make all the difference.

It’s exactly what PassiveEnergy offers. 

We’ve spent more than 17 years helping developers, architects, and homeowners achieve compliance with confidence in Australia. Our team knows every local policy, understands each council’s expectations, and delivers reports that get approved, fast!

So, if you’re looking for an ESD consultant who makes the process simple, book your consultation today.