Eight recommendations for Australia’s Transport and Infrastructure Net Zero Roadmap
So far, Australia’s strategies to reduce its transport emissions have focussed on increasing the uptake of electric vehicles (EVs). But with transport being Australia’s fastest-growing source of emissions, Climateworks Centre’s latest transport scenario modelling shows it is necessary to use all available solutions to decarbonise the sector. In addition to zero-emission vehicles, these solutions include: increasing the use of public transport, active transport and rail freight (A.K.A ‘mode shift’) reducing some travel activity where there are opportunities to move people and goods more efficiently.
EVs alone won’t save Australia from climate emergency
Australia’s transport sector needs to decarbonise fast in order to meet emissions reductions in line with limiting global warming to no more than 1.5 degrees Celsius.
Interactive: Decarbonising transport, Australia’s fastest growing source of emissions
Transport is Australia’s third-largest source of emissions. It’s also the fastest growing – it’s set to become the nation’s largest source of emissions by 2030.
New modelling: Australia’s credible transport transition beyond electric vehicles
New scenario modelling by Monash University’s Climateworks Centre demonstrates that Australia can bolster transport decarbonisation by expanding its approach to include a suite of solutions, calling for a shift in the way governments plan and fund transport in the face of modest electric vehicle (EV) uptake. Climateworks Transport Program Lead, Helen Rowe said: ‘Developing a credible plan to reduce transport emissions requires a shift in the way governments at all levels plan and fund transport – putting emissions reductions at the heart.’ The Climateworks modelling, presented in its latest report ‘Decarbonising Australia’s transport sector: Diverse solutions for a credible emissions reduction plan’, examines what a credible plan to decarbonise Australia’s transport sector could look like, going beyond electric vehicles and giving the country more options to successfully turn the wheel on its third-largest and fastest-growing source of emissions.
11.06.24
Renovations and rewiring can multiply the decarbonisation dividend
Our research shows why conversations about home electrification should go hand in hand with conversations about improving home insulation and energy performance. Electrifying an energy efficient home reduces net demand, meaning faster decarbonisation at scale.
Renovating an Australian home can reduce emissions and energy costs. So how do savings in your state or territory stack up?
Our Climate-ready homes report shows most Australians could dramatically reduce their energy use and save thousands each year, by upgrading the thermal efficiency of their homes. The findings are relevant for the majority of existing residences across Australia – 11 million homes across all climate zones, from cool temperate to hot-dry or tropical. When analysed by state and territory, the greatest potential savings are found in regions with colder winters – which is also where most Australians live. Nationally, however, even the lowest potential savings (in warmer climate zones) add up to nearly $1,000 a year. And of course, human health and wellbeing improvements stack up right alongside these savings.
Renovate homes to cope with cost of living crisis and climate change impacts, Climateworks Centre says
Australian households could save up to $2,200 a year on energy bills by upgrading homes built before 2003 with better insulation and electrifying appliances and heating, a new report by Monash University’s Climateworks Centre says.
Decarbonising short-haul road freight could halve Australia’s freight emissions
A new report from Climateworks Centre finds that Australia would be on track to cut more than half of freight emissions by implementing already available solutions in short-haul road freight.
Raising Australian building standards can deliver climate-ready homes sooner
A consultation process is underway to inform what standards will be considered for Australia’s National Construction Code (NCC) 2025. Performance requirements in the NCC set the lowest quality to which a building can be legally built, and will ultimately support national commitments to achieve legislated net zero targets.
Thinking beyond EVs to decarbonise Australia’s transport sector
In the recent Federal Budget, the Australian Treasurer announced more than $4.5 billion in climate-related spending, the bulk of which will fund efforts to reduce Australian emissions. Among the Budget’s line items was $20.9 million dollars over five years to decarbonise transport and infrastructure, including $7.8 million to develop a Transport and Infrastructure Net Zero Roadmap and Action Plan.
The Australian Federal Budget takes important steps toward net zero on hydrogen, housing and more
On Tuesday night, the Australian Treasurer delivered the first Federal Budget since the nation’s parliament put net zero targets into law.
How universities can spearhead the net zero revolution
Universities’ vast campus infrastructures and large populations of students, staff and commercial tenants can make them seem like miniature cities. And, like cities, these campuses contribute significantly to greenhouse gas emissions.
21.04.23
7-star housing is a step towards zero carbon – but there’s much more to do, starting with existing homes
Energy-efficiency standards for new homes in Australia are being upgraded for the first time in a decade. New homes will be required to improve minimum performance from 6 stars to 7 stars under the Nationwide House Energy Rating Scheme (NatHERS).
30.08.22
Why it’s so hard to buy an electric car in Australia and what can be done about it
If you’re thinking about buying an electric car, you’re in good company. In 2021, nearly 10 per cent of new cars sold globally were electric.
Accelerating Australia’s EV uptake can save vehicle owners $1,300 per year in running costs
Australians could save more than $20 billion in petrol and maintenance costs if electric vehicles (EVs) made up three-quarters of new car sales by 2030, according to Climateworks Centre analysis released today. New report Accelerating EV uptake: Policies to realise Australia’s electric vehicle potential, shows raising Australia’s ambition to 76 per cent of new vehicle purchases being electric by 2030, and 100 per cent by 2035, would benefit consumers and cut transport emissions.
17.08.22
Benefits of lifting Australian National Construction Code energy standards reaffirmed in joint statement
Climateworks Centre is among more than 100 organisations to sign a joint statement emphasising the strong community support in Australia for lifting energy standards in the 2022 National Construction Code.
10.08.22
Construction code review a chance for Australian governments to demonstrate their commitment to net zero
Mid-year, Australian federal, state and territory ministers are scheduled to gather for a significant decision that could have far-reaching impacts for all Australians: they will meet as part of the Building Ministers Meeting, to discuss an overall update to the National Construction Code (NCC) which could improve efficiency standards for new buildings and major renovations in Australia.
How infrastructure can help deliver a net zero Australia: event summary
Climateworks’ final Briefing Room webinar for 2021 asked whether Australia’s infrastructure sector has the momentum it needs to prepare for our net zero emissions future.
Cities in Australia are a major cause of emissions – but they can be a part of the climate solution, too
Cities are a combination of things we see – buildings, transport infrastructure, parks and public spaces – and things we experience, such as culture and community.
Australia’s transport emissions: the role of hydrogen in reaching zero emissions
Green hydrogen is an emerging technology for reducing emissions that requires further investment in research and development. For some parts of the transport sector, the case for green hydrogen is more viable that electrification.
NCC22 update: Draft provisions a chance to embed long-awaited energy improvement measures for new homes
This week, the Australian Building Codes Board released for public consultation the draft National Construction Code 2022 provisions. Climateworks Australia welcomes the provisions as the vital next step towards improving the energy performance of all new homes throughout Australia. ‘Minimum standards for housing haven’t shifted significantly for over a decade,’ says Climateworks Senior Project Manager Michael Li.
01.09.21
Australia’s transport emissions: the role of infrastructure in reaching zero emissions
Rachel Lynskey unpacks how infrastructure can influence transport systems for the better: providing options for shifting to clean transport modes as well as improving health and environment outcomes.
Net zero ambition in infrastructure: Western Australia’s draft strategy is a step forward for the sector
Last month, the state infrastructure advisory body of Western Australia released their inaugural state infrastructure strategy in draft form for public input.
Australia’s transport emissions: the role of electric vehicles in reaching zero emissions
Our first in a series on the complex and interdependent nature of the transport system, Rachel Lynskey explores why electric vehicles are an important part of the net zero conversation – but not the whole picture. Australia’s transport sector includes one of the most energy- and emissions-intensive road vehicle fleets in the world.
Indonesia has set an ambitious target for electric vehicles: what factors can support the nation’s shift to an electric-dominated transport sector?
By Dr. Emi Gui, Senior Project Manager; and Farraz Theda, intern. Despite ambitious targets and financial incentives, what an electric-vehicle dominated transport sector could look like for Indonesia is not well understood.
On the road again: here’s how the states can accelerate Australia’s sputtering electric vehicle transition
Rupert Posner, Climateworks Australia Last month, Volkswagen Australia chief Michael Bartsch revealed Australia’s clean technology laws were so weak, his German head office would not supply Australians with the company’s top selling mid-range electric vehicles.
Stimulating the net zero infrastructure conversation is ‘more relevant than ever’
Michael Li and his team signed off on the Reshaping Infrastructure for a net zero emissions future issues paper in March 2020, just as Covid-19 hit Australia.
Australia can transform the transport network to become a global leader
A rapid reduction in transport emissions is possible with the solutions already known and poised for widespread implementation this decade, according to new research from Climateworks Australia.
Electric buses can reduce costs, improve air quality and support local industries.
Electric buses are about to have their moment. Globally there were 460,000 electric buses operating in 2018, an increase of 25% on 2017 numbers, with China representing a huge 99% of the global market.
Can Australia follow the UK’s lead to ban fossil fuel cars by 2035?
Australians have the appetite for electric vehicles, what we need now is infrastructure and policy to make it accessible for all.
Fleet owners could save money by choosing electric vehicles
Climateworks research shows that councils and organisations could save money in the long term by choosing electric for their fleets. CEO Anna Skarbek spoke at the Electricity Vehicle Transition Conference outlining how this could have a huge impact in accelerating Australia’s transition to electric vehicles.
Australia has opened the door to higher performing homes, at lower cost
In July, building ministers agreed to develop stronger minimum energy standards for new houses and apartments. It’s a timely agreement that could set Australian homes towards lower energy bills, less strain on the electricity network and fewer greenhouse gas emissions.
Strong energy targets for buildings could deliver emissions and power savings in Australia’s Top End: new report
A more stringent National Construction Code with stronger energy performance targets would reduce emissions and power bills for buildings in Northern Australia, according to a new report released today by ASBEC and Climateworks Australia.
Australia’s buildings must be built for a zero carbon future
Energy standards in Australia’s National Construction Code must be urgently upgraded if new buildings are to be fit for a zero carbon future, according to a new report released today.
Australia’s electric vehicle industry gains momentum: report
On the back of global trends, media interest and growing consumer awareness at home, Australia’s electric vehicle industry grew slightly last year, according to a new report released today by the Electric Vehicle Council and Climateworks Australia.
Vehicle emission standards would save motorists more than free trade deal
It was reported earlier this month that Australia’s free trade deal with Japan would mean the average price of a Japanese car will be between $750 and $1500 cheaper (depending on which analyst you believe).
Climateworks leads call for best practice vehicle emission standards
Climateworks Australia, in partnership with CHOICE, has called on the Federal Government to introduce best practice light vehicle CO2 emission standards within the next two years to bring Australia on a trajectory that follows Europe and the United States.
Program to help businesses access building upgrade funding
A new public engagement program is being designed to clearly and simply communicate the business case for Environmental Upgrade Agreements to small and medium sized building owners and tenants and help them to finance energy and environmental upgrades to their building.