Climate Change, Place and Mental Health Incubator Submission to the NSW Minimum Energy Efficiency Rental Standards Consultation 2026

Abstract

We are pleased to see that the NSW Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water and NSW Fair Trading are seeking feedback on the introduction of minimum energy efficiency rental standards, and we welcome the opportunity to provide input. Our submission seeks to highlight the importance of considering mental health in the design, implementation, and evaluation of MEERS.

The submission combines empirical evidence collated by the Investigator team with rich insights from the real-world experiences of the Lived Experience Advisory Group. Rather than being structured by consultation questions, the submission is organised by 1. The potential impacts of MEERS on mental health, 2. Other considerations for the design and implementation of MEERS, 3. Learnings from other jurisdictions, and a final note on measurement and evaluation.