Standards Australia to launch universal data protocol

Standards Australia and the International Code Council have announced the development of a Universal Data Protocol (UDP) to enhance climate data transparency in the built environment sector.

The built environment plays a significant role in addressing climate change impacts, with 70 countries signing the Declaration de Chaillot in March 2024, committing to achieving net-zero emissions in the global building industry. Despite considerable investments in technology, data generated across different disciplines or stages of the building lifecycle remains fragmented and often unusable, posing challenges for compliance, reporting, and the sharing of data to meet sustainability goals.

The joint initiative between Standards Australia and the International Code Council aims to address these challenges by introducing the UDP, which will enable transparent, auditable, and verifiable data exchange. The protocol is designed to facilitate effective reporting and compliance across the building and construction industry.

The UDP will build on the United Nations Transparency Protocol (UNTP), a framework that supports secure and decentralised data sharing across borders without relying on a central database. As more sectors adopt the UNTP, it is expected to create a more transparent global marketplace.

UDP will serve as a Sustainability Vocabulary Catalogue for the built environment, ensuring the data collected is easily understandable. The protocol will offer several benefits, including decentralised verification, interoperability, digital security, a common language for data integration, and open-source access, allowing global businesses of all sizes to engage and enhance sustainability efforts.

The development and implementation of UDP will be supported by Pyx Global, an accelerator for the UNTP. In the upcoming months, both Standards Australia and the International Code Council will work on a proof-of-concept to showcase the protocol's application in real-world settings.

Adam Stingemore, Chief Development Officer of Standards Australia, stated: "The launch of the report is a step towards unlocking the full potential of data and digital technologies. Potentially helping to create a safe, sustainable, and resilient future for Australia and the world."

Dominic Sims, CEO of the Code Council, remarked: "We are pleased to work with Standards Australia to develop a globally applicable solution that provides the certainty and reliability that actors from across the industry need to continue to progress on meeting their climate-related goals."

Zachary Zeus, CEO of UNTP implementation accelerator Pyx Global, added: "The Universal Data Protocol, extending UNTP, will enhance data accessibility and transparency across the building sector. Pyx is excited to partner with Standards Australia and the International Code Council on this initiative, which will foster accountability and innovation in Australia and beyond."

The creation of the UDP is anticipated to promote sustainability and transparency within the built environment sector, improving compliance and establishing its participants as reliable entities in the global market.