In 2008, Cate Blanchett spent $1.5 million making her Sydney home more sustainable; the renovation included solar power and a 20,000-litre rainwater tank | English Movie News

Long before sustainable living became a mainstream conversation, Cate Blanchett and her husband, playwright Andrew Upton, were already incorporating environmentally conscious features into their home. In 2008, the couple reportedly spent around $1.5 million on renovations to their home in Sydney’s Hunters Hill, with a major focus on reducing energy and water consumption.The renovation reportedly included solar power, a 20,000-litre rainwater tank, low-energy lighting and greywater recycling. The couple also incorporated measures designed to reduce everyday water and energy use. A 2008 report in TerraGreen, published at the time, detailed the renovation and Blanchett’s approach to conservation.

Cate Blanchett’s eco-friendly home

Blanchett’s Hunters Hill property was transformed with sustainability in mind. The installation of solar technology was one of the major components of the renovation, while the large rainwater tank was intended to help collect and reuse water rather than relying entirely on the mains supply. Contemporary reporting also mentioned low-energy lighting and greywater recycling among the home’s environmentally friendly features.Blanchett’s interest in sustainability was not simply limited to major home renovations. In 2008, The Guardian reported that her Australian home was running entirely on solar power and that she had installed a timer on her shower to limit water use.The actress herself spoke about how unusual some of these measures still were at the time. In a 2008 interview reported by The Times of India, she said, “I can’t believe how uncommon greening practices for the home are. We’ve had solar panels installed, but they’re still seen as a left field idea. We’ve also got rain water tanks and we’re using a natural air-flow to cool the house.”She also described the small habits she had adopted to reduce consumption. According to the TerraGreen report, Blanchett said she had installed timers around the house, including on her shower, and spoke about challenging herself to take shorter showers.

Her environmental concerns extended beyond her home

Blanchett’s interest in sustainable living also became part of her professional work. At the time, she and Upton were co-artistic directors of the Sydney Theatre Company (STC) and were working on an ambitious plan to make the company’s operations more environmentally sustainable.The initiative eventually became known as Greening the Wharf. The project included solar power, rainwater harvesting and energy-efficiency measures at the company’s heritage-listed home at Sydney’s Walsh Bay. A 2009 UNSW report said the planned rooftop solar array would comprise about 2,000 photovoltaic panels and could supply up to 70% of the theatre company’s electricity needs.By 2010, the project had taken shape with 1,906 solar panels installed on the roof of The Wharf. ABC News reported that the system could provide up to 70% of the company’s power supply and produce enough energy to power the equivalent of 46 average homes.Blanchett and Upton had described the broader project as an effort to make the theatre company more environmentally responsible while using the arts to engage audiences with issues such as climate change.

For Blanchett, the approach was also about changing everyday attitudes towards consumption. Her home renovation came at a time when solar panels, rainwater harvesting and household water recycling were far less commonplace than they are today, making the $1.5 million sustainability-focused renovation and its 20,000-litre rainwater tank notable examples of the couple’s early commitment to greener living.