Design and construction businesses critical of Carbon Tax

A survey conducted by Infolink.com.au reveals that the majority of architecture, building, construction and design businesses believe the Carbon Tax will not reduce carbon emissions in addition to current initiatives.

More than 1,000 businesses in the architecture, building, construction and design industries were surveyed about their opinions on this topical issue, of which 62% do not support the Australian Government’s Carbon Tax. Ninety percent indicated they were already taking action to reduce emissions.

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

More than half of the respondents already use alternative energy sources for sustainability, however over half also stated they would not use alternative energy sources in the future due to the Carbon Tax.

Almost two in three businesses surveyed were concerned about greenhouse gas and emissions for the future, and more than half showed concern about climate change.

Comparison between industries:

• 70% of architecture businesses use alternative energy sources for sustainability as opposed to 54% 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% of building and construction businesses.
• 84% of building and construction businesses are concerned about the impact the Carbon Tax will have on Australian businesses as opposed to 73% of architecture businesses.

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