Beacon Pathway project

Beacon Pathway (Beacon), comprised of a mix of industry, local government and research organisations, was established in 2004 to significantly improve housing sustainability through scientific research, communication, information sharing, advocacy, opinion forming,  and networking.

In 2007, Beacon asked Allen + Clarke to conduct a feasibility study of current and planned legislative and regulatory interventions that would help achieve Beacon’s goal of "delivering a high standard of sustainability within the residential built environment by 2012".  We reviewed existing legislative and regulatory requirements in place to assist in achieving sustainability, as well those being planned and developed.   We engaged with key stakeholders across government departments about their work programmes and the strategies guiding their work.

We then developed a policy paper based on our analysis of the role of Beacon in New Zealand’s policy and regulatory process and methods of influencing policy for sustainable housing in New Zealand.  By focusing Beacon’s role in the policy and regulatory environment Allen + Clarke helped Beacon to optimise scarce resources and ensure it moved quickly to pursue its goal of 90% of New Zealand homes achieving a high standard of sustainability by 2012.

Beacon also asked Allen + Clarke to develop a policy paper putting forward to Government the National Value Case for sustainable housing initiatives.  Our assessment explained the national benefit to be gained by transforming the New Zealand housing stock to a higher standard of sustainability.  This integrated economic analysis by Infometrics with multiple research findings from Beacon into a readable paper for Government.