Opportunities to reduce greenhouse gas emissions of infrastructure

Infrastructure Victoria (IV) has published its advice to government on ‘Opportunities to reduce greenhouse gas emissions of infrastructure’.

With up to 70 per cent of Australia’s annual greenhouse gas emissions relating to the infrastructure lifecycle through operational, enabled and embodied emissions, solving this complex sustainability question is crucial for the transport industry.

The report explains how the Victorian Government can update policies, guidelines and procedures to make carbon emissions count in infrastructure decision-making. This includes planning, design, construction, maintenance and the end-of-life of Victoria’s infrastructure. 

The report makes a number of key findings including:

• There are many opportunities to reduce carbon across the life of an infrastructure asset.

• New assessment and procurement processes can support better use of existing infrastructure. They can also prioritise low carbon design solutions and materials.  

• Valuing carbon emissions can lead to better productivity outcomes, in addition to reducing carbon. 

• Acting now can save money and help deliver infrastructure more efficiently. It can also improve Victoria’s global competitiveness and help the state meet its emission reduction targets.

IV also makes 10 recommendations to create the foundation for decarbonising infrastructure. 

1. Adopt a carbon management standard like PAS 2080:2023 Carbon management in buildings and infrastructure to measure and manage carbon emissions and modify as needed to embed in Victoria. 
2. Implement the same carbon measurement approach as New South Wales and deliver training across the Victorian Government. 
3. Initially adopt a carbon value of at least $123 per tonne and then update to reflect values required to achieve Victorian emissions reduction targets. 
4. Update business case guidelines and templates to integrate emissions reduction. 
5. Measure carbon in infrastructure cost benefit analysis and make decisions that reduce emissions. 
6. Update procurement frameworks and guidance to embed carbon reduction in tenders. 
7. Update standard form contracts to include carbon reporting, abatement requirements and further reduction opportunities. 
8. Establish carbon management prequalification requirements for government contracts. 
9. Support industry to develop zero or low emissions solutions by testing alternative materials and adopting performance-based standards. 
10. Update assurance processes to include carbon emissions. 

Download the report in full here.