New collaborative initiative launched for net zero

Infrastructure Net Zero, a brand-new joint initiative has been launched to co-ordinate, collaborate and report on the sector’s progress towards achieving net zero.

The initiative is being led by seven private sector peak bodies, as well as three Federal agencies.

This conglomerate consists of: Australian Constructors Association, Green Building Council Australia, Australasian Railway Association, Infrastructure Australia, Clean Energy Finance Corporation, Infrastructure Partnerships Australia, Consult Australia, Infrastructure Sustainability Council, Dept of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development, Communications & the Arts, and Roads Australia.

These enterprises form part of a Steering Committee (SteerCo), which will work to provide strategic direction over the work plan that initially comprises four work streams addressing priority issues common to all the major infrastructure sub-sectors.

These areas include defining net zero for infrastructure, public/private sector alignment, uplifting capability in the supply chain and procurement for net zero.

Related stories:

Nicole Lockwood, independent Chair of Infrastructure Net Zero said the collaboration recognises the shared responsibility of decarbonisation and the opportunity to create an aligned and effective use of collective time, resources, and expertise to accelerate the highest-priority initiatives to drive lasting policy change and industry innovation.

“Infrastructure embodies, consumes and enables 70 per cent of Australia’s carbon footprint. The tightened targets for 2030 and 2050, the huge pipeline of new projects and the need to adapt to increasing climate shocks have brewed the perfect storm. The time for decisive action is now. It will help the whole sector go further and faster – together,” Lockwood said.

Ainsley Simpson, CEO of Infrastructure Sustainability Council said that the initiative would help to strengthen Australian infrastructure’s pathway to net zero.

“We look forward to working together with stakeholders from every part of the sector to accelerate the pathways to net zero and accelerate action on the infrastructure which enables our nation to thrive,” Simpson said.