Infrastructure Sustainability Council updates sustainability benchmark

The Tonkin Gap Project — Main Roads WA’s Tonkin Gap Project is undertaking an IS v2.0 Rating and trialling IS v2.1 Credits. Feedback received to date has been valuable in supporting ISCA’s transition to IS v2.1.

This month the Infrastructure Sustainability Council has released the latest version of its world leading Infrastructure Sustainability (IS) Rating Schemes Design and As Built tool.

The release of ISv2.1 Design and As Built updates the benchmarks for sustainability performance for the infrastructure sector. The ISv2.1 Design and As Built tool recognises and builds on the progress the industry has made in recent years and focuses on the delivery of outcomes and cultivating best practice within the sector.

The Infrastructure Sustainability Council’s Chief Operating Officer Patrick Hastings notes that IS v2.1 Design and As Built doesn’t just shift the bar on sustainability performance but also makes the Tool clearer, more intuitive and focused on outcomes.

“In approaching the new version of the IS Rating Scheme, we knew it was imperative that it was created by industry for industry, as a way of creating a common definition and set of expectations around what good quadruple bottom line performance looks like for infrastructure. This process of multi stakeholder development has been maintained throughout, with industry instrumental in shaping its new ambition,” he said.

The development of ISv2.1 Design and As Built entailed engaging with more than 700 individual stakeholders who provided in excess of 1,600 individual pieces of feedback.

“We have also been working in deep partnership with Western Australia Department of Transport and Main Roads to learn from the scheme and to ensure that the new tool is market ready and delivers the intended impacts on the ground,” Mr Hastings said.

Since 2012, over 180 projects valued at more than $200 billion have registered to undertake an IS Rating certification, with the Scheme mandated for various infrastructure classes across all states, the ACT and into New Zealand.

A common set of benchmarks across the jurisdictions has led a marked improvement in the way the sector approaches and delivers long term benefit through infrastructure and this is clearly demonstrated by the growth in assets receiving a leading rating.

Given Infrastructure Partnerships Australia is reporting Australia is at risk of being left behind by global investors for markets with more progressive ESG polices and regulation, the release of ISv2.1 Design and As Built is timely.

Their annual Australian Infrastructure Investment Report also notes that 93 per cent of infrastructure investors surveyed agree that ESG has become more important over the past two years, with all respondents agreeing it will become more important in the three years to come.

The Infrastructure Sustainability Council believes Australia and New Zealand has a strong story to tell. Through the IS Rating Scheme, the holistic delivery of economic, environment and social benefit has become standard policy and practice for those mandating asset and program owners.

Over 70 per cent of applicable projects on Infrastructure Australia’s 2021 High Priority and Priority List are expected, or are already, undertaking IS Ratings, with 65 per cent of projects on its Under Construction or Complete List having also undertaken ratings.

With increasing uptake of the IS Rating Scheme and the introduction of the ISv2.1 Design and As Built Tool, there are plenty of catalysts for further accelerating the sustainability performance of infrastructure assets. The ever-increasing capability within the sector and focus across the jurisdictions means the time for rapid transition is now.

For further information on the ISv2.1: