NSW took a significant step forward on its decarbonisation journey, announcing a major new net zero package at a Roads Australia event.
Minister for Transport Jo Haylen today used RA’s Spotlight on Sustainability to outline NSW’s plan to accelerate the decarbonisation of its $72.3 billion infrastructure pipeline and set the state up as a national climate leader.
In a major signal for the industry and other Australian governments, Minister Haylen announced new climate change and net zero targets for Transport for NSW as well as a Sustainable Infrastructure Program that will integrate sustainability into every process with key targets including:
• 100 per cent renewable energy for operational electricity for the rail, light rail and metro networks by 2025 (already around 98 per cent complete)
• 100 per cent of Transport’s work vehicle fleet transitioning to all-electric by 2030
• Net Zero in Transport sector emissions by 2050
• Net negative transport sector emissions by 2060
To ensure that they don’t replicate work already done, Transport for NSW has also partnered with National Highways to translate their work into the Australian context and share lessons learnt back to the UK.
Minister Haylen referred to the targets set in the TfNSW Climate Change and Net Zero Policy as “challenging, but reachable”, and measures that will need the energy and innovation of the sector to succeed.
TfNSW Secretary Josh Murray said NSW was positioning itself as a regional and global leader on climate policies, using its huge procurement power to drive positive change. Josh summed up the collaborative approach needed to take this on and deliver as “more we can do together.”
Following the address from the Minister there was deep dive into the announcement, with a panel of industry and academic experts who had been involved in the development of the package, including:
- Ainsley Simpson, CEO, Infrastructure Sustainability Council
- Jonathan Cartledge , CEO, Consult Australia
- Dr Daksh Baweja, Industry Fellow, School of Civil & Environmental Engineering, University of Sydney | Director – Special Business, BG&E
- Hudson Worsley Chair, Materials & Embodied Carbon Leaders Alliance
In summing up the announcements, Jason Pearson from event sponsor CPB Contractors said the policies will bring innovation to the fore, provide certainty to invest in people and leave a lasting legacy behind for generations to come.
RA will continue to work with our members and partners to support the implementation of this policy and look forward to continuing our work in sustainability.
For more information about the policy click here.
