Jo Kieboom, M.AIRAH

Jo Kieboom, M.AIRAH

Jo Kieboom, M.AIRAH, is Senior Engineer Ecological Sustainability for the Department of Infrastructure, Planning and Logistics – Northern Territory government.

Specialty

Sustainable buildings – policy, program and project development and management.

Passions

Reducing the carbon footprint of existing and new buildings.

How have you coped with COVID-19?

We have been so lucky in the Northern Territory to date, with only a few short lockdowns. But I worry about our Aboriginal people, and am hopeful that remote community vaccination rates will continue increasing. 

Professionally, COVID-19 has resulted in exponential growth of online professional development opportunities, which is fantastic for those of us in the regions. 

I also haven’t seen my Melbourne-based sister for 18 months. I miss her and it’s been tough watching her live through Melbourne’s long lockdowns – lucky we’re made of tough stock!

What do you like about your job?

The work is extremely diverse, and I never stop learning. Also, how inter-disciplinary it is, and that I get to collaborate with a wide range of people.

Challenges

Insufficient recognition of, and resources to do justice to, the cost-effective carbon-reduction opportunities offered by energy efficiency. It seems everyone is getting excited about reducing the carbon intensity of electricity, fully electric buildings, and embodied carbon. While these are of course important, there is still so much to do to reduce and avoid energy waste as well as demand management.

What would like, but don’t have?

A magic wand, more resources and less hurdles/barriers.

Reasons for optimism

That we now have commitments to net zero emissions at all levels of government. Some of our trading partners will be holding us to account, and Australian governments are turning their attention to resourcing transition plans for fossil fuel-dependent regions.

Breakfast of champions

Breakfast of champions

At the recent Women of AIRAH breakfast, attendees were challenged to be agents of change for greater equity, diversity and inclusion in our sector."Are you a morning person?” asked presenter Lisa Martello at the Women of AIRAH breakfast, held before the second day’s...

Seeking star performers

Seeking star performers

Awards, celebrating distinguished contributions in Australia’s HVAC&R and building services sector. Awards are handed out in six categories: young achiever, product excellence, software/digital excellence, project excellence, outstanding industry...

Red revolution

Red revolution

M3 Melbourne is one of two data centres in the Victorian capital that are set to house Australia’s largest and most comprehensive cloud ecosystem. Constructed by Kapitol Group, M3 Melbourne, a 100,000m² data centre in West Footscray, and M2 Melbourne, a 16,000m² data...

The heat is on

The heat is on

An El Niño weather event has been declared, amid realisation that 2023 appears likely to be the hottest year on record. Australia’s Bureau of Meteorology has formally declared an El Niño weather event, meaning one is under way for the first time in eight years. El...

One smart building, please

One smart building, please

Desiring to use actionable data from our buildings is undoubtedly a good thing. To effectively do this, however, defining terms and allocating responsibility for tasks is essential – especially when the “smarts” from our edifices exist in the space between systems.

Powering a smarter future

Powering a smarter future

What role does data play in the electrification of buildings? With a focus on machine learning, artificial intelligence and the interaction with the electricity grid, a panel at AIRAH’s recent Building Date Forum explored this fascinating topic.

ARBS

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